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.
Derek*
In our final post of the 'People of Pillars' series, we introduce you to Derek*. He found the help he needed to secure housing at Pillars Resource Center. "I’ve been homeless since 2018. I had an apartment for three years, but then I got evicted. I had a bunch of people staying with me, and I got behind on rent. I started going to the Adult Shelter first. When I first started going there, they were still doing the mats on the floor. […] I go to sign some paperwork today [for an apartment in Neenah]. It will feel good to be on my own again. The Resource Center has the resources for housing. They have good case managers here that work with you.” (Photo Credit: Adam Hilbelink, November 2, 2022) Derek will be ringing in the new year in that apartment and looking ahead to a bright future. *The name of the client in this post has been changed to protect his privacy.
