Tri-Town Shelter Services' clients share their feelings

IN THEIR WORDS

“This is the best I have ever seen in the whole state. I feel like I have a home. I am a grandma and a mom and was allowed to have my grandchildren visit. That means the world to me. I feel so happy here but I know I have to move on. This home has given me the chance to live again.” JT 2011

“They work hard to make you work hard. They really cared about my recovery and made me take a realistic look at where I was and what got me here. I was able to have my son visit me without being embarrassed.” DJ 2011

“Coming to a shelter with two children was scary. I had it in my head that these places are dirty and dangerous places to be in. What a surprise. My 11 and 4 year old loved how kid friendly it was. I could relax and think about my next plan for our family.” SM 2011

“I am just thankful for the place and the staff and the way they understand people and their stories and why they are here. Thanks everybody.” DB 2011

“This shelter is really better than a boarding house. The facility is very well equipped and the staff are professional. The mixture of people staying here is challenging and the staff met everyone’s needs in every way feasible.” PG 2011

“This is the only shelter I have stayed at where I wasn’t called a client but a resident. We were even encouraged to express ourselves at house meeting when things weren’t going well. I regained my voice after being so silenced by others. What a homely place. Thanks for a great stay.” V 2011

“I am grateful to have a clean and safe environment in which I have the opportunity to focus on re-directing my life in a more positive direction. Having a helpful welcoming staff to make the transition into a homeless situation a lot less uncomfortable then conceived was the best things about Tri-Town.” SN 2010

“They were there for me when I needed help and they helped me gain my confidence back so I could live a productive life again.” DF 2010

“This is a good place to start a new life. The people that work here are good folks and they work as a team. They saw my potential and pushed me towards it when I was despairing.” JF 2010

“I feel really safe here and the staff really cared and showed compassion. I am glad that my mental health worker called them for me. I have stayed at other places and was afraid until I walked in and was greeted by so many kind people.” LS 2010

“Being pregnant, I was nervous about going to a shelter. When I got there, the help I got from the director and staff was excellent. There was also another single mother and child upstairs and this made me feel good. Shortly after having the baby was born at Rockville General Hospital, the director came to see us and when we were released, he was the one that brought us back to the shelter, our first home.” LB 2010

“This is a dignified facility with top notch staffing. I can’t think of a thing that I would change here.” RP 2010

“Even though I moved into my own place after being here, I call almost every day. They are my lifeline when I am having a hard time or need to be encouraged. After years of being in and out of shelters, this one worked for me and I haven’t returned to being homeless.” DC 2010

“I was homeless, had not money and no food, but I was also hopeless. Through the understanding of staff I am setting off on a new life. Hope is restored. I am so glad for the guidance I got from staff and their belief in me.” TJ 2010

“Since the moment I arrived in this place I was greeted with open arms. I thought that nobody cared about me. Tri-Town has done an excellent job at picking the staff. Thank you for the chance to be here and to improve my life. Life is hard and you made it a little easier.” Note Left in Bedroom 2010

“Being here has changed me for the better. I have learned a lot about myself and am now on the road to getting what I want. I wish I met everyone here when I was younger.” RL 2010

“The staff and atmosphere was the best. The staff will help those who want to help themselves. For people who are open to change, this place will change your life. I am blessed to be able to come to a place that almost feels like home.” R. L. 2009

“The people were like family, they cared. The worst thing about the shelter is that I could not stay as long as I wanted to. I was happy to have met the staff and to have been at the program. I wish they could add more beds so more people could get the help they offer.” L. M. 2009

“This is the best shelter that I have ever stayed in. It is very homey and comfortable. Thank you for a great stay.”
K. B. 2009

“I came to Tri-Town Shelter two months ago and when I arrived I was not only homeless, I had no money, no food, and I was hopeless. Through the care and understanding of the entire staff I am setting off on a new life. Hope is restored. I cannot say enough about how the staff treated and guided me through these difficult times. I will forever be in their debt.” T. J. 2009

“Since the moment I arrived in this facility I was greeted with open arms. The best thing about the shelter was the care and fair treatment of everyone. Everyone was extremely helpful. This has been the best experience I have had. The staff have proven that there are people that really do care. I will never forget Tri-Town and the people in it. Thank you for the chance to be here and improve myself. Life is hard but Tri-Town has made it a little easier.”
S. R. 2009

“The best things about the shelter was the kindness and ability to get help with my child. They also helped me with my schedule and getting my life on a better track. This is the best shelter.” Jennifer 2009

“Being here has changed me for the better. I have learned a lot about myself and am now on the road to getting what I want.” E. J. 2009

“The best thing about the shelter was the peace, security, privacy and genuine care from the staff. The worst thing about the shelter was when people would choose to leave because they would rather run the streets - just heart breaking. I am absolutely grateful to have been given this blessing and I will continue to stay in touch with Tri-Town on a regular basis.” Resident 2009

“I have been staying in shelters for some time now. When moving around so much it is hard getting the help I need to get better. While at Tri-Town the staff did not waste time on getting me the help I needed and they kept me busy. When I left there it was with services in place that the staff got for me. I feel hopeful. That my time in shelters will end soon and I will be better able to take care of myself.” Resident 2009

“I am in early recovery and having someone to answer to daily is great for my recovery. The patience and compassion of the staff at Tri-Town goes way above and beyond. To them I say thank you and hopefully one day I will be working with you for addictions counseling and advocate for the homeless.” J. F. 2009

"I am a recovering alcoholic and by being in Tri-Town I always felt "safe". I am in early recovery and by having someone to answer to on a daily basis worked great for me. Tri-Town Shelter should be an example to other States. The patience and compassion of the staff goes way above and beyond. Hopefully some day I will be working with you for addiction counseling and be an advocate for the homeless. The worst things about the shelter is having to leave." John 2008

"The best things about the shelter is the staff. They helped me to become a sober and stronger person and I will always be grateful." Cheri 2008

"The best part about being at the shelter was that it gave me time to get my life ordered and to have goals for down the road. The staff are the greatest in the world." Client 2008

"Staff showed that they really cared and helped in every way. They taught me ways to get back on my feet. They met my needs, farther than my wildest expectations. The worst thing is that you couldn't stay longer." Robert 2008

"I really felt comfortable about my stay and the structure is needed. Staff are good at what they do and they really care about you. The most helpful change in the program would be more staff like the ones who are here." Malcom 2008

"Everyone is so nice and the staff will drop anything if you need to talk. It is very clean and I think the program is very helpful just the way it is." Client 2008

"My stay at Tri-Town gave me time to get some direction in my life. The staff that work there are good hearted people." Barrett 2008

"The best part was getting all the support and resources I needed to get on my own. Other programs should take a long hard look at how this one is run and take some of the ideas to make them better." Lori 2008

"Being at the shelter I had peace of mind and could focus on the things I needed to do for myself. Thank you for giving me a safe place to stay. I wish there were more places like this." Robin 2008

"The best thing was the ability to have full access to the shelter faculty and facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The most helpful change in the program would be adding a work placement program that would be run by the shelter staff." Scott 2008

"The best thing was the level of care the staff shows and the living conditions. This is by far the best shelter, hands down." DJ 2008

"The thing I like the best was staff attitudes and the most helpful thing was being able to talk to them. I think there should be a once a week dinner for all to attend for a chance to get to know each other." Judy 2008

"This is a very homey shelter, the best one I have been in. The living conditions and staff are really good. The worst thing is having to leave." Carmen 2008

"I really like the place. It is a place where you can start your life over. The nest thing was the people." David 2008

"I'm very glad of the opportunity that the Shelter gave me and my significant other. You guys have really been great and this is by far the best shelter I've ever been to. Thank you for allowing me to stay." Mark 2008

"The staff's ability to be a source of help to transition into stable housing is the best. The length of stay should be 3-6 months so that clients can adjust to other agencies waiting periods and processes." Raleigh 2007

"The best thing about the shelter to me is/was the right foundation to get back on track with my life and enormous support toward my goals. I truly am blessed to be here and continue to do what you're doing. Anyone who doesn't receive anything out of this program is evidently not ready for a change and the enthusiasm that it brings." Olantha 2007

"I met some wonderful people here and the staff is excellent. I was respected, supported, and most of all, happy to be here. TTSS is the best." Diane 2007

"Staff have been very helpful to meet all of my needs. They have been pleasant and heart warming as people. The family like atmosphere was the best thing at the shelter." Client 2006

"I was at the lowest point in my life with little things pushing my lower. I was treated with respect with no putdowns. Thank you for your assistance in my time of need." Client 2006

"Staff helped me and reassured me. They openly and professionally gave me information on resources to assist me with my situation. I truly am so very fortunate to have been allowed to stay at Tri-Town with my son. Thank you for everything." Derek 2006

"By far this is the best shelter I have ever been to even though I've only been in two, I can't imagine a better situation." Client 2006

"The staff are very helpful and as informative as they can be. I must say, I appreciate Tri-Town for all the help that they are giving my family and myself. And I just want to thank them for taking us in and welcoming us with warm and open arms." Matthew 2006

"It is the safest and nicest shelter I have ever seen. Plus it has helped to put me on the right path in my life. The structure it provides is helpful." Guy 2006

"The staff are caring and compassionate and go above and beyond in helping. My stay has given me my life back and I now have a good job. I have structure to build on and am getting ready to move on. Thank you very much." Mary 2006

"I think you are great! Thank you for being here for me. The treatment of the clients builds self-esteem rather than making one feel the "stigma" of being homeless." Sue 2006

"Just leaving rehab this has been great for me. Not having to leave during the day and being on the streets was the best thing for me. I rated the staff 4 but I would give a five to two of them. They are very understanding and fair. They go beyond the call." Vance 2006

"The staff shows a lot of understanding and caring to people who are going through a very hard time in their lives. That makes the transition a lot easier to deal with." Carolyn 2006

"The best thing is that Tri-Town Shelter has given me a place to stay so I can get back on my feet and be self-sufficient. This is what a homeless shelter should be like and other shelters should be more like." Rick 2006

"I was treated with dignity and respect despite me circumstances. Compassion and caring runs deeply at TTSS. People listened and genuinely appeared to care. They were helpful in every way." Roxanne 2006

"This place is very nice to be in. The staff is very nice and they are caring people. Thank you very much for helping me a lot. The level of staff kindness, involvement, and treatment of me was excellent. I was always treated with compassion, empathy, and dignity." Linda 2005

"It was a pleasure staying here. The staff was very nice to me and helpful. You are the best shelter. The shelter is run really good and I thank you for being here for me." Kim 2005

"Everything about the shelter was of high grade of service. I will miss Tri-Town with all of my heart. If I could make one improvement, it would be to open more Tri-Towns." Roger 2005

"I just wanted to write a little note to let you know how thankful I am for all the considerate things you have done for me and my son. You have also made Christmas a really nice one for us. I just wanted to let you all know that we are truly grateful."                                                         S.M., Mother and T.D., Son

"I would like to use this occasion to extend to you and your families my most sincere and heartfelt wishes. I thank all of you for your contributions to my continued success in my goals, namely acquiring employment and obtaining a place to live on my own. All of you have been of assistance in these goals. The Service Coordinators untiring devotion to her duties left no stone unturned in exploring options in many different areas. The understanding and advice from other staff during difficult times greatly eased my burden when all seemed lost. They have been very supportive and the Director always gave me a thumbs-up for a moral boost. Soon I will be moving and I just wanted to thank all of you formally.  Once again - you guys are the best." G.S., Male resident

A 2005 resident wrote these words in a card she left for the staff to find in her former room at Tri-Town Shelter Services.

"When I didn't have my own blood family to turn to, you opened your hearts to me. I do not know what I would have done without your kindness. I am so very thankful that I met each one of you and appreciate the kindness, warmth, and caring you all extended to me and my unborn child. This experience was the closest I have had to a "family" in quite some years. When my baby grows up, I'll be sure to let her know how many people watched over her while she was being created.  She will know you as I know you, .... as my family!"

These words were written in a card to our Service Coordinator by a former resident during 2005.

"The first day I spoke with you on the phone, you sounded so concerned with my well-being and you did not even know me. I called about 12 numbers before I called Tri-Town Shelter and you were the only person who asked me what happened. I do not know why my life took this bend, but I want you to know that while I was here you provided me with not only shelter, but with a place I could call "home." You've given me peace of mind and a sense of security I haven't had in forever. Running away from problems is never really a good solution, but I must say, I am glad I ran away to you and the entire staff. I feel like I am leaving someplace very special, and I know I will miss all of you."