“Dysfunction was the norm for me.”
At Shelters of Saratoga, we connect with hundreds of people each year. That’s hundreds of lives, each with unique circumstances, and unlimited potential. Potential that’s simply lost its way, or happened upon a challenge. But our philosophy is simple – we meet people where they are today, provide safe shelter, and the support needed for an independent tomorrow.
Robert Kennedy once said that “few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of a generation.”
We can’t change history. And we can’t write our future ourselves. For those we serve, we do everything we can to help them write their personal stories beyond homeless. Stories like Robert’s – who started dealing when he was just 15 years old, and went to prison 3 times because of it.
“My parents had a toxic relationship. My dad gave my mom an ultimatum to stop using. She didn’t… she is still living in the apartment I grew up in… in the Brooklyn projects – 40 years later. They had no goals, no plans to get from Point A to Point B..”
While incarcerated the last 7 years, Robert finally made a change by enrolling in mental health counseling. Upon his release, he faced several challenges to get to Shelters of Saratoga. Having been an unready guest years ago; he knew he needed the structure S.O.S. offers to get himself on a good path.
“I took advantage of people’s addictions for a very long time. It’s only right that now I try to help them.”
Utilizing our case management services at the Walworth Street Emergency Shelter, Robert was able to get a new social security card and ID for employment, and save money. Now in an apartment of his own, Robert is enrolled at SUNY Adirondack for Substance Abuse Counseling hoping to be a mentor for others, and one day to help bring about prison reform.
“The only program in the north country region that has any type of close idea of getting yourself together is.. Shelters of Saratoga.”
Your support is paramount in transforming the lives of our neighbors facing homelessness. You can pave a way for other’s independence.