DeWayne Elliot is a typical 26-year-old. He enjoys socializing with friends, traveling, the arts, and physical exercise, and describes himself as an outgoing young man and a team player who doesn’t believe in “big I’s and little U’s.” Life for Dewayne today includes working and coming home each night to a place he can comfortably call home, but this wasn’t always the case. Elliot’s journey from homelessness to stability is a testament to the transformative power of the Flexible Housing Pool (FHP) offered through the Center for Housing and Health (CHH). After high school, DeWayne found himself adrift, caught in a whirlwind of rebellion against his parents, a tumultuous period that eventually led him to homelessness. After staying with relatives and friends without a stable roof over his head, DeWayne’s journey took a fortuitous turn when he became connected to the FHP. “Three years ago, I was experiencing homelessness. Since I’ve gotten in this program, I have done nothing but move up,” he reflects.
Amid the uncertainties of homelessness, DeWayne sought solace and resources in places like the Harold Washington Library—a sanctuary for many in Chicago facing similar struggles. Here, between the rows of books and through the quiet corridors, DeWayne, like countless others, took refuge from the elements and found a fleeting semblance of normalcy. The library gave him access to the internet where he could check email and get connected to important resources. I met with DeWayne at the library where he reflected on his experience getting housing through CHH.
The connections to services and resources he accessed through CHH were invaluable, DeWayne says. “CHH’s Supportive Services gave me more ease of mind and a more level head,” he recalls. “I never had somebody before on the backend who was rooting for me like, 'we got your back.'”
Guided by the support provided by CHH, DeWayne’s journey took a remarkable turn. Engaged in job training through the Urban Efficiency Program, he is on track to start a career with good pay and medical benefits. He is now paying it forward as a member of the Flexible Housing Pool’s Youth Lived Experience Board. “I want people to see me as a person just like them… Life kept taking me left and I finally found a right lane. And I’m sticking with it. You can stick with it too. There are resources. You just got to learn how to navigate them. FHP does that,” DeWayne asserts.
Dewayne hopes his words and example can be a beacon of hope for those navigating similar challenges. “Stable housing put me on the road to a career that I can use as a stepping-stone — because there’s so much more that I want to do.” As he looks ahead, DeWayne is not just envisioning stable housing; he’s envisioning a life filled with endless possibilities, and a future he’s determined to shape. All of this is possible because of the peace of mind one gets from having a place to lay your head each night. Having a place to call home is the first step to a full and fulfilling life.
