A new vision for the future: A resident story

By Tricia Wright
executive director

Every day, I see how our work at Onward is changing lives. Here’s one example.

A significant purchase

One of our residents recently purchased a new car. That in itself is a big deal. But the why behind that purchase, is what warms my heart.

The old car and its challenges

This resident arrived an Onward House with a car in their possession. It was big and old and it kept breaking down. It was not a reliable mode of transportation.  But the resident kept paying to get it repaired.

A conversation that changed perspective

One day, our program manager asked the resident why they continued to pour money into the vehicle. She asked, “Why not look for a smaller, more reliable vehicle that you can count on for your transportation?”

Through a series of conversations, the answer became clear. Based on their life experience, our resident was keeping the car as a backup place to live. They assumed that homelessness was not not only part of their past, but likely part of their future. They were making decisions based on that vision.

Building trust and making plans

Over time and with support from our program, the resident came to trust in their own future stability. They began to view a car as a way to get to work, not a place to sleep at night. They began to leave homelessness in the past and make a plan for a stable future. This included getting rid of the old car and investing in reliable transportation.

Empowerment and sharing

And there's more! This resident then stepped forward to use the new car to give driving lessons to two other residents. It was a full-circle moment: empowerment leading to empowerment.

This story is one of many that you've made possible—an example of the real-world impact of your generosity. An example of how the work we do together is transforming lives.