From Homelessness to Stability: Wesley’s Journey Toward Independence and Hope for the Future
November 4, 2024
One man’s story of resilience through a lifelong battle with severe mental health challenges and cycles of homelessness, to finding stability through a partnership with the Community Transitions Program at Rocky Mountain Human Services.
Wesley spent most of his adult life in Texas, struggling to manage his mental health. Lacking consistent care, he would enter mental health hospitals seeking a break from homelessness, viewing these stays as opportunities for shelter and food. However, these temporary solutions never resulted in lasting stability and frequent medication adjustments made it hard from him to maintain mental balance, trapping him in a relentless cycle of short-term hospitalizations and homelessness.
In 2021, the situation reached a breaking point, prompting Wesley to leave Texas. Having been without proper medication for over two years, his condition had deteriorated significantly. Seeking a fresh start and the desire to be near his mother, Carla, who lives in Colorado Springs, he drove to Colorado in the car she had recently bought for him. However, shortly after arriving, he was admitted to the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo where he would stay for the next two years.
Connecting with the Community Transitions Program
After spending two years in the state hospital, Wesley’s case manager introduced him to the Community Transitions Program, specifically the Momentum program, which helps individuals reintegrate into their community after institutional care by providing unique tools and support. For Wesley, this meant working closely with his Clinical Care Manager, Courtney Chavez, who became a pivotal figure in his journey toward stability.
Courtney’s role was to ensure that Wesley had a solid foundation for rebuilding his life after release. Before he left the state hospital, she visited him multiple times to understand his needs and create a comprehensive transition plan. When Wesley was discharged from the hospital and moved into an assisted living facility in Pueblo in September 2023, Courtney made sure his new living space felt like home. She provided essentials like a blanket, a cell phone with prepaid minutes, and a TV, easing his transition to a more independent lifestyle.
Building a New Life with Ongoing Support
For Wesley, the consistent support from Courtney was life changing. “She was dedicated,” he shared. Her regular visits became a source of reassurance, offering both moral support and practical help. Whether providing items to meet immediate needs or simply listening, Courtney’s presence gave Wesley the stability he had long lacked.
Wesley’s life began to stabilize. He moved into his own apartment in Colorado Springs in June 2024, and according to his mother, Carla, he enjoys maintaining his car, cooking his own meals, and keeping his space clean.
“He comes over all the time,” Carla shared, reflecting on her son’s progress. “Saturdays, he comes over for cookouts. He loves his life right now, and I believe it’s all because of his support network.”
Wesley’s connection to Courtney and the Community Transitions Program provided him with the tools not just to survive, but to begin thriving. He recently applied for a job at a local grocery store and plans to join Carla at church, further solidifying his ties to the community.
Reflections on the Community Transitions Program
Wesley and Carla both express immense gratitude for the role Community Transitions played in Wesley’s journey toward stability.
“It’s a very compassionate and caring organization that [helps people] when they don’t have any other hope,” Carla explained.
She emphasized how the program offered not just material support but also the encouragement and moral guidance that were essential for Wesley’s path to stability.
Wesley acknowledged the difference Courtney and the program made in his life. “It’s nice to have someone there,” he reflected, highlighting how Courtney’s dedication gave him the confidence and support to navigate the challenging and overwhelming transition from institutional care back into the community.
A Message to Others Facing Mental Health Challenges
For those experiencing similar struggles, Carla offers words of hope. She encourages others to trust the process and the support systems available to them through programs like Community Transitions.
“[Community Transitions is] a light in a person’s life. They bring the essentials of life and the encouragement. If there was a need and Courtney could have provided it, she did,” she shared.
For families like Carla’s, Community Transitions offers a compassionate and effective way to help their loved ones regain independence and rebuild their lives. Her son’s journey is a testament to the power of the right supports.
Get Connected with Community Transitions
If you or someone you know could benefit from the services offered by Community Transitions, visit the program’s page on the RMHS website for information about eligibility and how to get started. The support and resources provided by Community Transitions can help individuals like Wesley find stability, independence, and hope for the future.
To contact Community Transitions directly, call 303-636-5766 or email ctreferrals@rmhumanservices.org
