“Without housing, there’s no way I could have felt the way I do now.”
Born and raised in a Culver City housing project in West LA, Samuel P. grew up in a low-income environment where drug use was common and normalized. In his teens, seeking acceptance and with parents working tirelessly to provide, he began using drugs and eventually became a regular user. At 17, his family was evicted, marking his first experience with homelessness. A friend offered him temporary shelter, but when the landlord discovered he was an unauthorized tenant, he was forced to leave. Back on the streets, he turned to drugs again to cope and was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia in his 20s.
While experiencing homelessness, Samuel endured multiple involuntary hospitalizations, leaving him feeling trapped in the system. Though he sought mental health services, he struggled to access consistent care. Determined to change his life, he shared his goals with staff at a local mental health hospital, which referred him to Step Up for ongoing recovery support.
The moment he walked through the doors of Step Up on Second, he felt his life begin to change. “I thought my life was over, but Step Up showed me I had a future.” He started visiting Step Up daily, working closely with staff to secure the services he needed. With their support, he obtained a Section 8 housing voucher, medication management, resume-building assistance, soft skills training, and job placement services—resources that helped him rebuild his life. “You guys helped me believe in myself again.”
Receiving housing was a turning point. Before, he had relied solely on Social Security benefits and doubted he could ever work again. “Without housing, there’s no way I could have felt the way I do now.” Step Up encouraged him to pursue education—something he once thought impossible. Initially limited to living on SSI, he enrolled at Santa Monica College (SMC) and, despite the pandemic, earned an Associate’s Degree. Motivated by his progress, he applied to California State University, Los Angeles, and was accepted into the Social Work program. Now, as a first-generation college student, he balances two classes and an internship, aiming for graduate school and a career advocating for those who feel unseen.
In addition to school, Samuel transitioned to a more stable job at Goodwill, where he has now been employed for five years—the longest he has held a job. Throughout this journey, he faced challenges, including attempts to revoke his Social Security benefits. Step Up advocated on his behalf, ensuring he continued receiving support.
The most significant milestone in his stability was securing permanent housing, which he credits as the foundation for his confidence and ability to rebuild his life.
One of the most difficult periods he faced was the passing of his mother, the one person who had never given up on him. His grief was overwhelming, and he feared he wouldn’t survive without her. Step Up provided the emotional support he needed to process his loss, helping him navigate mourning and regain stability.
He also received guidance in handling family dynamics, particularly with a brother who sometimes took advantage of him. Step Up provided life lessons and confidence-building tools to help him establish healthier boundaries. “I’m a work in progress, but I feel like I got my life back.”
When he first walked into Step Up, he was skeptical, having faced discrimination in the past. However, he was welcomed and given space to take care of his basic needs while awaiting case management. “When I walked into Step Up, I felt like they gave me a space.”
Meeting case managers like Jay and Louise was life-changing. Louise, in particular, provided unwavering encouragement, helping him see his potential and inspiring him to support others in similar situations. “Louise encouraged me to do the same—to believe in others the way she believed in me.”
Samuel’s journey is a testament to resilience, the power of community support, and the belief that a second chance at life is possible.
Sam’s story of recovery is made possible in part thanks to the programs and services supported by people like you. To help bring more individuals like Sam, make a donation today!