Meet Allen

Our guest Allen served in the Coast Guard in his early 20s. He worked for 17 years as Controller and Director of IT at a large company, and made a six-figure salary, until the company was bought out and he lost his job. Even after that, Allen continued to hold jobs in accounting and had a stable life.

After that, Allen still held jobs in accounting and had a stable life. However, Allen’s life changed after he lost his home.

The friend he had been living with for 5 years passed away and Allen was evicted from his friend’s house. Due to the eviction, Allen lost time from work and eventually lost his job. He was living out of his car for 6 months and became depressed, feeling hopeless.

Police approached Allen when he was in his parked car at a rest stop and ended up taking him to the hospital. After discharge from the hospital, he was referred to the Homeless Hospitality Center through 211.

Allen arrived at our shelter on January 23, 2019. He immediately began using programs and services. He is doing the hard work of rebuilding his life.

"The shelter staff and volunteers make you feel like a human being and like you are not worthless,” Allen said. Every single time he did a chore at the shelter, like sweeping the floors, a staff member thanked him. Little things, like a thank you or being able to take a shower, have made a huge difference for him.