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.
Amanda* and Lindsay*
*Amanda and *Lindsay consider being roommates in the Ascend program “hilariously fun.” When asked if they knew each other before meeting in the program, they answer: Both: “No.” Amanda: “I cried for the first three days.” Lindsay: “I think one of the days you were crying I came home and fell asleep with my shoes on.” Amanda: “Yeah. We shared a bedroom at first. Now I’m in a single bedroom, but I slept in her room last night.” Lindsay: “That’s how we became Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.” Amanda: “Honestly [sharing a bedroom] made us closer. It was a little scary at first, I’m not going to lie.” (Photo Credit: Adam Hilbelink, November 2, 2022) The roommates continue to navigate young adulthood while learning independent living skills and working through their individual mental health challenges in Ascend. *The names of the participants in this post have been changed to protect their privacy.
