Welcome to the “People of Pillars: A Portrait Gallery.” Every weekday in December, we will be sharing a portrait of an individual or individuals receiving services from Pillars as clients, tenants, or program participants. This gallery is an opportunity for the community to learn more about what the reality of homelessness is in the Fox Valley from those with lived experience.
It is important to note that all of the individuals featured in this gallery participated voluntarily and are willingly sharing their stories with you; however, their names have been changed to protect their privacy. Any statements, views, and opinions shared by these individuals are their own and are not endorsed by Pillars in any way. Conversations with these individuals were captured on Tuesday, November 2, 2022. Additional follow-up information about their journey to housing may be added separately as needed to bring their story up-to-date.
Brian*
Brian* most recently came to Pillars through the Diversion and Prevention Program. On November 2, he held some of his belongings outside of Pillars Adult & Family Shelter ready to go to his new apartment that he found with the help of his case manager, Shelby. “Shelby didn’t push me under the rug. She got me help pretty fast. I put in an application in June, and she got me a place within a couple of weeks. I’ve been to Pillars before. This, that, and the other causes problems, but I’m not a spring chicken anymore. I’ve got to get my sh*t together. By the grace of God and Shelby and Pillars, I got my own place now. I’ve got great help. My rent is little to nothing. It’s great. It’s a senior building, but it’s a trip. I don’t consider myself a senior. I’m young at heart. […] You can’t get down on your situation. You’ve got to keep on keeping on.” (Photo Credit: Adam Hilbelink, November 2, 2022) Brian* is still housed in that same apartment at the time of this post and receives regular check-ins from Shelby. *The name of the client in this post has been changed to protect his privacy.
