Meet Leonard

We believe that everyone has a right to a warm, safe place to call home. In 2016, that wasn’t the case for Leonard. Leonard was homeless, and in immediate danger of losing his bed at the homeless shelter because of his behavior.

Easterseals was called to help Leonard better understand the shelter’s rules, and the consequences of not following them. After his spot was once again secure, our staff got to work finding Leonard a more permanent housing solution.

The first step was helping Leonard obtain the documents required to receive assistance. It took  planning and hard work, but in less than a year, Leonard was receiving state support and had a housing voucher. With these new resources, Leonard was able to get an apartment of his own.

As excited as Leonard was with his newfound freedom, he was still struggling. Leonard has a big heart, and his dedication to giving back to those around him is unmatched. Unfortunately, his generous spirit was often taken advantage of by people around him. He was giving away the money he needed to sustain himself and was letting old friends and acquaintances stay with him. He soon was forced to move after two of these guests brought bed bugs into his home.
Leonard’s team knew something had to change. So they asked him, when he moved to his new apartment, what was the single most important thing to him.

The answer? A roommate.

So the search began. It didn’t take long for our team to find someone who they thought would be the perfect fit for Leonard. And with help from a grant, the community pitching in, and staff donations, Leonard left his bed-bug ridden apartment and his old ways behind.

Today, Leonard is thriving. He and his roommate get along great. The pair have become close friends with a few other guys living close by, and they often get together to hang out. Leonard pays all of his bills early. While he’s still known to gift anything extra to friends and family in need, he makes sure his needs are met first.

Leonard also enjoys giving back to the community he came from. Every Friday, Leonard makes and hands out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the homeless. During heat advisories, he goes to homeless hotspots and delivers water. He also often delivers baked goods to the shelter near his apartment. Leonard’s journey has led him full-circle, from needing help to get off the streets to helping those whose place he was once in.