Fred’s Story

Fred’s Story

Whenever Fred finds himself on the front steps of the shelter it’s a very different feeling than it was ten years ago. The first time he had nothing but a small suitcase and wounded pride. He quickly put those feelings aside, knowing the shelter was his only option.

“My addiction caused me to lose everything. My job, my car, my home, my support system. I made the decision that I had to get well, or I was going to die.”

Fred grew up in a loving home and was proud when he graduated college. He went on to get a job and was living on his own, but his casual drug and alcohol use quickly became a dangerous addiction. After hitting rock bottom, he went to rehab. With nowhere to turn after his time there, Fred came to Homeless Solutions. He was sober for 30 days and determined to get his life back.

Frank Alias Photo

“I was coming from nothing; literally, I didn’t even have any ID. The staff was amazing. You had to do the work, but they got me on the right path and helped me stay on it. It’s what saved me.”

Now he’s a manager with an international shipping company, actually getting his start as a packer after seeing a flyer on the employment board at the shelter! All he had at the time was a bike that he rode over an hour each way up the massive hill on West Hanover Avenue for his 3:00 am shift.

Fred is grateful for the support HSI gave him and has chosen to give back to the organization. He volunteers by gathering groups to cook with him at the shelter and also organized a huge toy drive for our families. Donating toys to the shelter was an easy choice for him. He remembers watching the kids play outside and remains friends with some people from the Program that are all doing well today.

Fred shared his gratitude, “They invest in people regardless of where they come from or their background, and sometimes people need more than a second chance like me. I am living my best life and about to get married. I can’t thank Homeless Solutions enough for helping me.”

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