Although a bed is just a place to sleep for some, Manuel found that it was the key to rebuilding his life.
After a serious back injury and surgery left him hospitalized for three months, Manuel could no longer work. Without any income, he quickly fell behind on rent and lost his housing. His recovery was long and difficult; for the first 30 days, he couldn’t even stand and had to remain lying flat. With nowhere else to go, he ended up living in his vehicle.
That’s when a friend, who had once participated in Tempe Community Action Agency’s programs, told him about the support and community he might find in our I-HELP program. Encouraged by his friend’s recommendation, Manuel decided to reach out.
Through TCAA, he connected with case management services that helped him gather documents, find food resources, and get proof of address. Most importantly, he found a safe place to sleep and recover, which offered him a moment of stability and time to plan for what came next.
“Without this program, I would have been living on the street,” he said. “It gave me a safety net and a launch pad to get back on my feet.”
As his health improved, Manuel used that foundation to take charge of his next steps. He started applying for jobs, eventually finding work and permanent housing. Along the way, he met people who understood what he was going through and offered encouragement that reminded him he wasn’t alone.
Now, Manuel looks back on his experience with gratitude because he found a place where he could rebuild on his own terms, surrounded by people who believed in his potential.
