We met Katoshi and were immediately taken in by her generous and happy spirit, sharing a smile and a laugh that spreads from ear to ear. After suffering an injury working in a facility to take care of the elderly, Katoshi found herself unable to remain in her home. Housing for New Hope was able to connect her with case manager Joseph Euler and then find her necessary support programs and a new apartment.
Katoshi is one of many Durham neighbors who have been pushed into economic distress by work-related injury and disability. Just one accident can interrupt essential income to pay bills and maintain shelter. But she stressed to us that she was able to find help and others can too. “If they’re having problems, they need to get with someone who is with Housing for New Hope who can help them. Even if they can’t provide it, they can point you to a place that accommodates you.”
Reflecting on her journey, Katoshi emphasizes how she was able to pursue more dreams after getting in touch with HNH. “The whole Housing for New Hope team is like a godsend to me. They just turned my life around. Put me where I really need to be. Mind, body, and soul.” Today, Katoshi is focusing on the next part of her career and studying to start working in medical billing.
Below is more of our conversation with Katoshi.
What was your situation before Housing for New Hope?
I was in a house, but it wasn’t fit to be living in. I had to give it up. I was very depressed.
I was all over the place. My mind, body, spirit, everything. One day, I get a phone call and I wasn’t going to answer at first because I didn’t know what number it was. But I answer it. It’s [case manager] Joe. ‘Hey, I’m from Housing for New Hope, can I help you?’ And I say, ‘From where!?’ And then he told me again.
I said, ‘Ain’t nobody else been helping. What can you do?’ And he said, ‘What do you need?’ So I told him.
From then on, Joe has been a godsend to me.
Joe helped me get my meds. I’ve been moving forward ever since.
The whole Housing for New Hope team is like a godsend to me. They just turned my life around. Put me where I really need to be. Mind, body, and soul. And they continue to help. They keep stepping up to do something else. I wasn’t expecting food to show up at my door when I come home. And I start crying. Because Housing for New Hope has gone out of their way for me.
How did it feel when you first saw your new apartment space?
Amazing. God has been talking to me through this whole situation and the week before I got this place, I said ‘I’m just tired of waiting.’ And God said, ‘No, you better wait on that blessing. Joe ain’t never let you down yet. He’s never said anything false to make you believe that something’s not going to happen. So you wait.’ Two weeks later I get a phone call.
I just believing in all of them at Housing for New Hope. They’ve never let me down.
How are you doing in terms of work and day-to-day?
I’ve been a CNA for a long time and that has worn its course. I’d been doing it for sixteen years. It took a toll on my body.
I loved it. I loved helping people. I developed relationships with these elderly people. I’d been with one for 14 years. They’re like family. But it is physically taxing. They don’t get better. They get worse. So if they’re here [indicates a healthy level] and then a month later, now they can’t walk. That takes a toll on me to help them walk and I can barely stand.
I’m actually still on leave because I had a back surgery, so I’m still recovering. I just met with [Vocational Rehabilitation] today and they are going to help me get a proper job. Ways to maintain and be successful. I want to stay in the health field and I want to go to school for medical billing.
In your experience, why are people struggling to find permanent housing?
They have closed and torn down affordable housing for a lot of people. They have to spread them out and put them somewhere. That means it takes time to find that housing, because there’s too many people looking.
Any recommendations to people who need help or assistance?
If they’re having problems they need to get with someone who is with Housing for New Hope who can help them. In any situation, whether they want to get off drugs. Whether they want to get a ride to the doctor. Whether they want to get mental health. Even if they can’t provide it, they can point you to a place that accommodates you.
