DeWayne Elliot’s journey from homelessness to stability is a testament to the transformative power of programs like the Flexible Housing Pool (FHP) offered through CHH. After high school, DeWayne Elliot 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 Flexible Housing Pool (FHP) through CHH. “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 a 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. The connections to services and resources he accessed through CHH were invaluable. “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 and resources 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. He 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.