Inspiring Stories from our Community Housing Clients 

By Michelle Brown, Community Housing Program Director

 

At Alpha House, we are reminded daily of the transformative value of having a home. 

For so many of our clients who have experienced homelessness, our community housing program enables them to live independently with dignity – to feel supported and cared for by their community and to work to build a healthier future for themselves.

Home for our clients is much more than shelter – it provides hope with a new perspective for them to realize their own dreams and create a better future. 

We recently sat down with three of our community housing clients – Stephen, Darcy, and Lesley, who shared their unique perspectives on how having a home has changed their lives.

 

Home is a Haven Where Stephen’s Dreams are Rekindled

For Stephen, stable housing has enabled him to rediscover his passions, manage his mental health and feel safe and secure. 

“It’s been a tremendous privilege, with regards to where they placed me, with regards to the financial end of it. I still have some pocket money left over after paying rent, and I can keep my affairs in order, like paying bills and actually adulting,” he says.  

After spending years in shelters, Stephen was referred to Alpha House during the pandemic – where he met a counselor who helped him navigate his schizophrenia diagnosis. \

“He was like a big brother, held my hand through some of the worst moments and paranoias of my schizophrenia when it was first diagnosed,” Stephen shares.

Stephen also has renewed dreams of attending a Comic Con convention, and is working to save to attend one in Calgary in the future. 

“Since getting housed, it’s been a huge turnaround. I finally have space for my comics, novels, and costumes — my own slice of identity,” he says. 

Calgary Flames Fan Darcy Loves the Independence of Having His Own Home

Darcy shares that, “Alpha House is to me, in my mind, it is the best thing going.” After experiencing homelessness, he feels comfort and pride in having a space to call his own. 

“It feels nice to actually have a place where I can walk into it and say, this is my place. I pay my bills ahead of time and everything else,” he adds. 

As a lifelong Calgary Flames fan, Darcy has decorated his home with Flames memorabilia on his walls.  

“I have on my wall about eight pictures of Flames players. My friend did a photocopy of Miikka Kiprusoff when he retired and I have it. Kipper was my all time favorite. Like, he was a phenomenal goalie.”

 

A Peaceful Place to Call Home for Lesley

Lesley spent over 10 years living on Calgary’s streets and says Alpha House has given  him a sense of safety and stability. He loves the peace and quiet of living alone. 

“Nobody bothers me. It’s just dandy,” he shares. 

Having a space of his own has allowed Lesley to enjoy simple pleasures, like watching Murdoch Mysteries or playing rhythm and bass guitar. After nearly ten years in Alpha House’s community housing program, Lesley is truly grateful for the stability and security it has provided him. 

For every individual client, the meaning and comfort of home mean different things and we are grateful to Stephen, Darcy and Lesley for sharing their stories with us. 

 

Every one of our clients has a unique story, and at Alpha House we work to enhance our clients’ quality of life by providing them with the support they need to live with dignity, hope and stability in secure housing. 

Alpha House relies on community support to continue helping clients like Stephen, Darcy and Lesley move into stable housing and achieve their goals. Donations go towards rent subsidies, deposits, groceries, and other essentials.

To learn more about the program or to donate, visit Give Hope Through Housing.