CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - In life, progress takes many forms, from insignificant to transformative. It can be accepting a well-deserved, higher paid position, deciding to spend more time with the family, or simply making marginal improvements to your day-to-day routine to be healthier. Often in the social services space, progress is simply holding the course. Such is the case with the newest Sacramento Self-Help Housing (SSHH) employee and graduate of the Grace House recovery home, David.

Last time we spoke with David, he was thankful for SSHH’s Homeless Outreach/Citrus Heights HART Navigator Toni Morgan who has supported him from the beginning into the longevity of his journey in recovery. David has made great strides. Thanks to a monetary sponsorship from HART, David once again has his driver’s license and graduated from the Grace House recovery program"'sober. His once navigator, Morgan, is now his co-worker at SSHH, and his mentor. They work their own street outreach locales for SSHH. He is now employed full time by the agency that supported, and still supports his transition off the street into a life of permanent and sustainable housing.

“My journey off the street and my recovery are one and the same, a new way of life. I work on both every day. I stay busy doing what I find joy in and take matters day by day. SSHH and Citrus Heights HART had shown me compassion; my getting involved in compassion is what I needed to keep going.”

Going forward, David’s goals are to stay consistent. “I’m not getting high today,” and celebrates what he has achieved. As of this writing, David is now 400 days sober, living in and paying for his own room, and holding a leadership position in his support group.

David can be found Tuesdays at the Arden library, and Wednesdays at Carmichael Park, where he meets with the local homeless to offer advice and housing referrals, as a SSHH Homeless Outreach Navigator.

There are 10 HART groups in the Sacramento region. Each work to support the unhoused in their community. If you would like to find out more about HART please visit hartstogether.org

or call Derek M Corea of Corea Consulting at 916-798-2435