John* has learned a lot about resilience in the past few months, shaped by life on the streets and the support he found there. “There’s more to life than just making money and being happy. Becoming homeless has taught me to be kind,” he said.
Four months ago, John left Texas and a career in security to build a future in Erie. But shortly after arriving, he found himself without his belongings, vehicle, or a place to live. For the first time in his life, he was homeless.
He sought shelter at the Erie City Mission, determined to rebuild from the ground up. That’s where he met Marissa Dewey-Ramos, BUILD CDC’s community health worker and insurance enrollment navigator.
Marissa began meeting with John weekly, helping him navigate immediate needs like warm winter clothes and health insurance, while also building toward longer-term goals like employment and housing.
For John, these weekly meetings became a turning point.