The Key to Health and Happiness: Rick and Jessica’s Story

When Rick fell ill, he never thought he would end up having to choose between his health and having a roof over his head.

As he suffered from lung- and heart-related illnesses and sought treatment, his medical bills skyrocketed. He and his partner, Jessica, couldn’t keep up, no matter how hard they tried.

“We went from having a nice apartment and a car to having nothing real quick,” Rick said. “We lost all of our furniture, everything in our apartment, because we had all of those medical bills.”

That’s when they turned to True North Housing Alliance. The organization rallied around them to provide the resources and support they needed to find stability again.

Rick and Jessica originally stayed at the Torres Community Shelter, part of True North’s comprehensive programs for people experiencing homelessness.

While there, Rick was a member of the shelter’s vocational Kitchen Crew, earning his cooking certification and serving meals to other guests. It was an enriching program that helped him get through one of the hardest times in his life.

“I learned how to cook. Next thing I knew, I was running the kitchen,” he said. “It was good for me. It kept my mind going.”

For Jessica, her mental health dramatically improved while at the Torres Shelter. Surrounded by support and encouragement from True North Housing Alliance, she was able to access the resources she needed to treat her addiction and anxiety disorder.

“This experience made me stronger,” she said.

Home Sweet Home

As soon as they entered the shelter, Jessica and Rick worked with their True North Case Manager Louise, creating a Housing Action Plan in order to secure affordable housing.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began last March, the couple received great news. They were able to move to a motel via the state’s Project Roomkey, a program managed by True North Housing Alliance. It is designed to keep medically vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness, like Rick, safe.

About five months later, Rick and Jessica moved into their new home, where they live with other clients whose lives have been changed by True North Housing Alliance’s programs. Plus, the home is managed by Chico Housing Action Team as part of an incredible community partnership.

Rick, 68, said he’s now able to comfortably enjoy his retirement. His medical bills are still significant, but his rent and other expenses are low enough that he can afford to stay healthy and housed.

This was all possible due to the support that he and Jessica received from True North Housing Alliance, Rick said.

“It’s nice, everybody here gets along,” Rick said. “We’re thankful.”

Jessica agreed. True North Housing Alliance helped them both regain their health, happiness and stability.

“We have no worries,” she said. “Being here is a blessing.”