Client Story: April & Roy

Meet April & Roy! They are our Monthly Client Feature at the Samaritan Center!

Roy's journey to homelessness started when his SSI benefits took longer than expected to come through. With no money and no place to stay, he began experiencing homelessness.

Photo by Brittany Hansen, Lead Caseworker

"I was unhoused for 3 months," he shares. Roy moved to Simi Valley for a while but still struggled to find stability. After being kicked out of his former residence, Roy's sister, April, became homeless too. The two of them lived in hotels, and sometimes, they even had to sleep in their vehicle. But despite the challenges, April never gave up.

It was through his case manager at Behavioral Health, that Roy was connected to the Samaritan Center. The center provided essential support, including case management, clothing, food, hot meals, and lunch bags to go.

After nearly two months in a temporary shelter, April and Roy finally found a home they could share. It’s been one month since they moved into their new apartment, and they couldn’t be more thankful. The Samaritan Center was able to assist with moving day, and assisted with picking up and transporting furniture into their new home. 

April’s advice for others who might be struggling? “Go to the Samaritan Center, they’ll help you. My caseworker was a big help. She was there for me, and it meant a lot.” She ends with a big thank you: "Thank you to Brittany and the entire staff at the Samaritan Center for everything you’ve done for us and for the community."

Thank you for sharing your story, April & Roy!