Housing Is the Foundation You Need to Let Your Life Take Off

November 27, 2019 12:00 PM
by Erin Taylor

We Are Santa Monica is proud to highlight standout individuals committed to creating a stronger community. To find out more, visit weare.santamonica.gov.


If you ask Les where he gained his wealth of wisdom and insight, he’ll say, “I learned it in the school of hard knocks.” And Les does indeed know what it means to go through hard times. Before he found his way to permanent supportive housing, Les had spent more than half his adult life homeless. The struggle against homelessness is an increasingly common story – one that Santa Monica is working hard to bring to an end.

Les says of that time:

“I just didn’t know how to handle things. I didn’t know what was wrong. I went through a lot of turmoil trying to figure out why I didn’t fit into this thing called ‘life’. I spent most of my life feeling like I was separated from everyone. And I just wanted to belong.”

In 1994, Les got a phone call from his sister in Houston. In her warm Texas drawl, she encouraged Les to find services that could help address his mental health needs. She truly believed that if he got the treatment he needed, he could get off the streets. At the time, Les felt too stigmatized by the idea of “mental health needs” to take his sister seriously. It took him another six years before he actually followed through on his sister’s gentle encouragement and walked into a Santa Monica mental health facility.

STEP UP ON SECOND

Les’ caseworker referred him to an organization called Step Up On Second, a non-profit devoted to permanent supportive housing, vocational training, and health services for homeless individuals. It was a community that welcomed Les with open arms. As Les said,

“I realized for the very first time in my life, I belonged.”

Not only did he belong, but he was also getting the mental health attention he needed and was on the road to becoming permanently housed. Something bigger was happening, too. Les was becoming hopeful. He began to realize that he was worthwhile and that his life could mean something. Les has transformed that hope into helping others as they transition out of homelessness. At Step Up On Second, Les leads a weekly gratitude group and runs a learning center for those looking to expand their skills.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: BRINGING HOPE TO MANY

In talking with Les, it becomes clear how transformative supportive housing can be.

“Housing...is so very, very important. It’s the foundation you need to let your life take off,” Les says.

When individuals are given the safety and stability of a roof over their heads, they can begin to address other issues that may be holding them back. And the holistic approach of supportive housing means it doesn’t end at providing permanent shelter. It also encourages mental health, vocational skills and self-respect. All this adds up to a real chance at starting a new chapter in life. Our very own Santa Monica resident Les is living proof of that.

If you’re interested in volunteering with or donating to Step Up On Second, visit stepuponsecond.org. There are also many other organizations doing their part. For a full guide of available resources, and to learn more about how Santa Monica is encouraging supportive housing for all members of our community, visit weare.santamonica.gov.

Authored By

Erin Taylor
Senior Marketing Manager