Battling Mental Illness
—Alamance County, NC. Aid recipient—
My story is, I came to North Carolina because I found myself near being homeless when I was in Las Vegas. I lost my job. I lost my apartment, so I came here to live with my mother. My mom soon after sold the property in which we were living in, and she moved in with her boyfriend, so that left me homeless.
Before I came to the shelter, I went to live with my sister. That was the plan that was in place and that situation just did not work out. From being in an environment where I felt abused and unwanted, I checked myself into the hospital. I committed myself because, I was unraveling. And I stayed in the hospital for two weeks until I was stabilized and well enough to even come home, which there was no home, so I got with the social worker at the hospital and she told me about Allied Churches’ shelter. I left, discharged from the hospital and came to the shelter.
So after being in the shelter three days I came to see Ms. Donna and I interviewed with her. Her and I both knew that I had some mental problems that had not been addressed. And she got me into Triumph and I’m now in therapy.
So while being in therapy, I transitioned, after ninety days, transitioned into my own home. Because that was one of the programs that they had for people with mental illness.
And the housing program is: after I go in and file for disability, that they would pay my rent until the next time, until I’m able to transition, transition back into the workforce and be able to pay my own bills.
So that’s where I am right now. And I actually volunteer here [at Allied Churches] to keep myself motivated, to keep my depression down and my anxiety down, and feel a part of the community. Like I’m giving something now, because they have allowed me to live in an apartment, and they pay all my bills.
Kimberly is a volunteer at Allied Churches Drop In Center while receiving assistance. She identifies as a Black Latina, is 41, and was interviewed by Tom Mould, March 26, 2013.