Experiencing homelessness is hard. Sometimes it sets people up for repeated setbacks and traumatization. Recently, Sally (not her real name) was living in her own apartment and part of ImmaCare’s Permanent Supportive Housing Program. She had been unhoused some years ago. Sally has been living in a one-bedroom unit in a fairly calm and safe part of Hartford. Our case management team has been impressed with the meticulous care, organization and cleanliness of Sally’s apartment. It was an apartment most people would be very proud to call home.
One recent Sunday night in October, the rear porches of this small multi-family apartment building caught fire. No one knows what caused the fire that was on the other side of the building from Sally’s apartment. It had been a pleasant fall Sunday. Perhaps one of the tenants of the building had a small grill that was left out and some embers caught fire during the dry weather conditions. Sally’s unit was primarily just water damaged, but mold quickly set in and what smoke and water didn’t destroy, colonizing mold would soon destroy the rest.
Sally escaped with just what she was wearing that night. She lost all her possessions, including her cellphone with the numbers of friends and family, as well as our agency number. She lost her entire wardrobe and all medicines. She lost medical equipment which cost thousands of dollars and was brand new, which she received after a struggle to get it paid for by insurance. There is likely no replacement coming for this machine.
In hindsight, the purchase of renter’s insurance would have covered her losses. However, for those in supportive housing programs, this insurance is a luxury that’s beyond financial reach in most cases. Thus, previous bouts of being homeless set people up for future tragedies like this. With no resources to replace all that she had lost, our staff worked as quickly as they could to try and find her sources to replace at least some of what she lost.
Thankfully, Sally had a few nights in a hotel as part of a fire victims’ program. She was scared and going through the motions while she waited to learn where she would be laying her head down to sleep in the coming weeks. This time of doubt and uncertainty is all too reminiscent of when she was experiencing homelessness and constantly unsure of what her future would look like and if and when she would be housed. Still, Sally is a grateful person by nature and appreciates the items that our agency has been able to provide as she goes through the process of replacing everything she owned.
Experiencing homelessness is not just a momentary struggle; it can cast long shadows, leaving individuals vulnerable to setbacks even after they have secured housing. People like Sally remind us how fragile stability can be, and how quickly lives can be upended by unexpected events. For someone who has worked hard to regain their independence, the loss of everything in a single night can feel like a devastating step backward.
At ImmaCare, we are committed to being there for individuals like Sally, not just when they need housing, but whenever they face obstacles that threaten their well-being. With your support, we can continue to be the safety net for those who have already endured so much. Your generosity allows us to provide the emergency assistance needed to replace essential items, secure new housing and restore hope. Together, we can help people like Sally not just survive but rebuild their lives with the dignity and security they deserve.
Sincerely,
Lou Gilbert
Executive Director