Client Stories Page 2

On a sunny day, a group of military veterans and friends gathered at Lummus Park to celebrate fellow veteran Ralph Patterson’s* 84th birthday. Colorful tablecloths covered the picnic tables, hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken were grilling on the barbecue and…

Growing up with his loving parents and large extended family in North Carolina, Ari never dreamed that at the tender age of 20, he would end up alone in a new city experiencing homelessness, but that’s exactly what happened nearly…

Ebanks, pictured with her daughter. Persistence, perseverance and overcoming obstacles are motivating Camillus House Verde Gardens resident, Melissa Ebanks in her quest to escape poverty. She has worked hard to turn the circumstances of her life around, completing her GED…

Over the past few years since the pandemic began, life has become more difficult for many Miamians, in particular those on a limited and fixed income such as senior citizens. With Miami-Dade’s quickly rising affordable housing crisis, there is a…

Art therapy students pose with art instructor Art as therapy is something Camillus House knows well and why it is one of their most successful programs on campus. Some clients that partake in the program and their artwork were recently…

Battling depression and anxiety, unemployed and unemployment checks running out led Erika to seek assistance with her rent from the Department of Children and Family Services. She was approved for aid for 15 months, but she ran into another problem.…

John Hemphill with his former Case Manager, Nestor Acosta. 57-year-old John has lived a tough life bouncing around different states and regularly turning to Camillus House to help him get his life straightened out. After years of struggle, John was ultimately…

On a daily basis, watching and participating in many public behaviors displayed by both male and female residents of the 305, it’s difficult to discern if innocent flirting leads to more offensive behavior, such as human trafficking. The first interaction…

Becoming homeless in late 2019 came as a complete shock to Xiomara who with four children and with another one on the way, this one a high-risk pregnancy, it meant she couldn’t work. Her abusive partner at the time left…

With an estimated 3,400 people living on the street in 2022, on Give Miami Day Camillus House wants to inspire you to help us serve Miami-Dade’s homeless. Since the pandemic began, life became more difficult for many Miamians, especially for…