Last week, 15 formerly homeless individuals were recognized for their transition off the streets during Cottage Housing’s semi-annual graduation ceremony. The honorees, seven men and eight women, tearfully but eloquently told the audience about the struggles to get into the two year program, and the success which has resulted from their time there.

Tom Pratt, a 2010 graduate of the program, started his stay at Quinn Cottages in January 2008.

“I came with very few possessions, no job and eight months of sobriety. I didn’t know a lot about Quinn Cottages, but I was determined to use my time here to get back on my feet and return to society as a tax payer and not a tax taker,” said Pratt.

Pratt has followed through with his goals. He is now married and working full time for the State Franchise Tax Board, a job he worked hard to obtain over the last year.

“What Quinn did for me was afforded me the time to pursue my goals and work towards a bright future which I now have,” Pratt added.

“When I came to Quinn Cottages I didn’t have more than the clothes on my back, but I had a lot of hope, commitment and determination and they were behind me all the way, said another participant, David Donnelly. “When you come here with nothing, and leave with something, it means a lot.” (Watch Donnelly’s full speech on Facebook.)

Residents at Quinn Cottages spend up to two years living in one of the program’s 60 midtown housing units. While there, the residents commit to maintaining sobriety, pursuing self-defined personal development goals and volunteering regularly in the community. Cottage Housing’s program has resulted in over 400 graduates since its opening in 1997.

Quinn Cottages is one of two residential housing units operated by Cottage Housing. Serna Village, located at McClellan Park, has 83 apartments which serve over 100 recently homeless adults and more than 200 children.

For more information about Cottage Housing, including how to volunteer or donate, please visit www.cottagehousing.org or visit on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/cottagehousing. 

*Full disclosure: Writer works for a marketing agency. Cottage Housing is a paid client of 3fold Communications.