Samuel - Veterans
“Coming to the Weingart Center saved my life,” said Samuel.
Sometimes staying sober isn’t enough to keep you off the streets.
Samuel had battled his addictions and remained clean for years, but the death of his mother, a broken down then impounded car, and an addicted girlfriend all contributed to his homelessness. Samuel had been delivering newspapers, but without a car he was unable to do his job, which led to house payments he could no longer afford. After selling his house, Samuel stayed in hotels until his money ran out then he became a “rolling homeless” person— staying at a friend’s house during the day and hanging out under a bridge at night. “After many months of this, one day I got tired of being busted and always being broke,” confides Samuel.
Samuel was ready to turn his life around but he didn’t know how; he didn't know he could get help. Having served in the Army for two years, Samuel turned to the Veteran’s Administration and was
referred to the veteran’s program at the Weingart Center Association (WCA). He promptly became a participant. “Weingart gave me the hope, inspiration and direction I needed,” said Samuel. “If you do what you are supposed to do in the program, there is no way you can lose.” Components of the program — going to group meetings, learning life skills, taking vocational classes, finding a job and saving 75% of earned income — are designed to help individuals become self-reliant.
Samuel took a class at WCA that allowed him to get his security guard license and find a job at a high-rise office building in Beverly Hills. He takes the bus, and leaves early to ensure that he is always on time. Getting that job was a major milestone for Samuel because it proved to him that he could work even if he didn’t have a car.
Samuel plans to take full advantage of what WCA offers by staying the full two years allotted by the program and saving as much money as he can so he’ll be ready to be on his own again.
“Coming to the Weingart Center saved my life,” said Samuel.
