In September 2013, Mission First staff members a trip to visit with Michael Johnson—who celebrates his 10th Year as one of Mission First Housing Group’s residents on October 7. It was a beautiful late summer day in West Philadelphia. Mr. Johnson welcomed us with a smile into his very neatly decorated home with artwork and figurines. He had certificates from workshops he attended proudly hung on his bedroom wall and a closet full of VHS tapes in his living room—he loves movies.

Michael grew up in North Philadelphia, an area he called “wild”. As an adult, he spent over thirteen years on the streets, sleeping mostly at Penn’s Landing. Michael was suffering from a deep depression that he shrugged off as growing pains. He had lost interest in things and felt sad all of the time. He didn’t share his feelings with his family, because he did not want to burden them. Back in the 90s, depression was not something that was as widely accepted or understood as it is now. He got used to being depressed; it was part of his lifestyle.

During harsh weather in Philadelphia, the City sweeps the streets to get people into shelters for their protection. This was the only time he would go to the shelter. One day, while at the Ridge Avenue Shelter, where coincidentally Kevin worked before MFHG, Michael met with a doctor. The doctor told him that he thought he suffered from depression and sent him to psychiatrist. The psychiatrist officially diagnosed Michael and started him on a medication regimen. The medication has changed Michael’s way of life.

“I don’t like feeling that way,” Michael said about the benefits of his medication and treatment. “I like being on this side of it.”

At another visit to the shelter not long after, a staff member told him that he was on a list for an apartment through a new program Horizon House created to mirror a program started in New York City.

Horizon House’s New Keys is designed to provide housing for chronically homeless individuals, who are known to be living on the streets while suffering from co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Mr. Johnson is one of the original New Keys Participants. New Keys enrolled their initial clients in 2003, and they presently serve 65 individuals, 25 of which are housed through Mission First. Through

its partnership with Horizon House, Mission First houses 190 residents in the New Keys, Home First, New Keys 2 and Welcome Home programs.

When Horizon House told Michael they were ready for him to move in, he couldn’t believe it. It did not sink in until he signed the lease and got his keys. He saw his apartment in a beautiful neighborhood and knew he was meant to be there. His life was about to change.

At the time of move-in, there was nothing in the apartment. The staff asked if he wanted to wait a day for a bed and he declined because he was used to sleeping on the street. When he sat down in his new home, he immediately felt safe.

“I felt this peace,” he said. “This calm. Like I was where I belong.”

When he first moved in, it took a while to go back out and do things. At first Michael would still go into Center City to get food and items, but realized that he needed to stay in his neighborhood and buy things for himself.

“It feels good to go to the supermarket, walk around getting items, and have a place to bring it all and cook it,” he said.

He familiarized himself with the neighborhood by taking walks every morning. He would walk to Clark Park to look at the board and see what events they had planned, and read the University City Guide to discover things to do.

He befriended his neighbors, whom he now cares for like family. Case managers also came to take him and show him the neighborhood and planned events for people in the program to attend, like trips to Dorney Park, movie days, and festivals. He was building new relationships.

Michael’s relationships with his family members have also improved with his stability. He now goes to his brother’s house every weekend to watch football, and is even planning to cook a special birthday dinner at home for his brother’s birthday in November. Michael is also excited to go to his sister’s house for Thanksgiving. He even went to his first wedding a couple months ago to celebrate with his nephew. Michael used to avoid social occasions, but now he really looks forward to spending his time with people on special days.

He did say one thing about going out to visit people, “Where ever I go out, I can’t wait to come home.”

The most important relationship that has benefited from Michael’s stable housing is the one with his son. Michael is incredibly proud of his son, a college student studying Early Childhood Development. Before Michael had a home, they would meet at a food truck and have a meal. Now, his son can visit with him at his home and they spend quality time connecting.

Having a safe place to come home to each day also allowed him a lot of time to think about himself and his life. On the streets, one is constantly going and worried about food and safety. When he moved in, he had the time to reflect on where he had been and where his life was going.

Michael shares his experiences and encourages other people in the program. He urges fellow residents not to squander this opportunity. This program has provided him with a home, friends and a stronger bond with his family.

We asked Michael, “What has this program done for you?”

His response, “This is a blessing to me. I really appreciate this opportunity. It would have been hard for me to get here in my life without this.”