For a Houston without Homelessness
Since 1989, SEARCH has been providing hope, creating opportunity, and transforming lives for thousands of men, women, and children who are trying to break free from the cycle of poverty and homelessness. As we work to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring, our ultimate vision is of a Houston without homelessness.
Wendi - HTT/Education
Wendi found herself homeless with four young girls after fleeing an abusive relationship. Battling severe mental illness and trying to cope, Wendi felt lost, alone, and hopeless. Then she found SEARCH and the House of Tiny Treasures. With her three youngest girls enrolled at the House of Tiny Treasures, Wendi was able to take the steps she needed to turn their lives around.
Fast forward (seven) years later. After earning three degrees at community college with a 4.0 grade average, Wendi is now a supervisor at a growing Fortune 5000 company. She is attending the University of Houston on a full academic scholarship to get a degree in management.
John L. - Housing
John L. had been homeless for over 26 years. After being incarcerated for drunk driving, he was left with nothing. Upon his release from prison, he took a bus to Houston and found himself homeless and alone. He built an encampment, cared for his eight cats, and collected cans for money. While it wasn't an ideal situation, it was home, and so he refused housing assistance from many agencies. In 2009, his encampment was torn down, and he was left with nothing yet again.
At 69 years of age, John realized that he finally needed some help and was ready to “go inside.” John reached out to the HPD Homeless Outreach Team and was referred to SEARCH. His case managers at SEARCH, in collaboration with our community partners, helped John navigate the complex and often overwhelming process of applying for, obtaining, and moving into permanent housing. In less than a month’s time, John was able to move into an apartment of his own.
John admits that it has been an adjustment to live in a home after so many years of living on the streets. He is finding new ways to stay busy and productive and is grateful that he will never again have to sleep in the rain.
Saundra - Employment
Saundra had it all – a well-paying job, a home of her own, good friends, and a family with whom she was close. Four years ago, she lost it all to alcoholism. Living in a homeless shelter, she felt depressed, hopeless, and alone...until she found SEARCH.
With hard work and determination, Saundra got a job as a certified flagger for a local traffic control company. SEARCH helped her realize her dream of getting back to work and into her own home again. Today, Saundra supervises 51 flaggers, continues to be sober after four years, and remains a woman of deep faith. Saundra's greatest joy is the reconnection with her daughter and granddaughter after many years apart and knowing how proud they are of her.
George S. - Housing
George S. had been homeless and living on the streets for three years. During that time, George tried to get housing but was never able to complete the process on his own. Several months ago, George heard about the city’s Coordinated Access system, got assessed for housing, and was assigned to a case manager at SEARCH. Earlier this month, George was elated to move into his very own apartment.
After being homeless for so long, it was an adjustment just sleeping in his own bed. George laughed about the first nights in his apartment. "It wasn't easy getting used to sleeping in my own bed again. I was used to sleeping on the ground and people waking me up all the time. This is new for me!" George is also enjoying something that he hasn't been able to do for a very long time – cooking his own food. "My family taught me how to cook, and I missed so much the food I had growing up. Now, I can make all that again." When speaking about SEARCH, George couldn't hold back the tears. "God is good, and God bless all SEARCH has done for me. They believed in me. Thank you so much."
