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We touch thousands of lives each year. Here are a few stories of lives that have been changed by Transition Projects.

Jeannette Poulson was a teenager in 1984 when a car struck the motorcycle she and a friend were riding. Her friend was okay, but Jeannette lost a leg, and the overall trauma she suffered brought on debilitating migraine headaches that
she continues to suffer from today.

Still, the Oregon native was able to work and support herself.
At least until the economy crashed in 2001. She lost her job first, then her savings, then her apartment. "I was terrified,"
she said. "I'd never been homeless."

In Jean's Place, our women's shelter, Poulson was able to piece her life back together. During her six-month stay, she partnered with our caseworkers to brush up on vocational and technical skills, and tame a mountain of paperwork so she
could get disability insurance.

Now Jeannette is in stable housing and hopes to one day help others like herself.

Transition Projects was Jeanette's bridge from homelessness to housing. You can help provide a bridge for someone else.

Executive Director Doreen Binder recently received an e-mail from a former Glisan and Clark Center resident now in housing.

Greetings Doreen -
My name is Robert (Bob) L. and I was a TPI client from mid-August until last week. I wanted to use this opportunity to thank you for the services your organization made available to me during my own personal “transition”out of homelessness. Although I suspect you probably don't get to hear it enough, I'd like to say how much I appreciated how the staff treated me and thanks for providing a temporary shelter as I worked toward getting back on my feet.

Scott's [Director of Men’s Services] team, especially [Case Managers] Ben and Tim,were very supportive as I made strides to attain gainful employment. Scott was both accessible and understanding of my particular situation. The RAs [Residential
Advocates] were fair in their treatment of me and your other clients. Lastly, [Living Skills Coordinator] Joan's no-nonsense approach to Life Skills, and [her] empathy [were] also greatly appreciated.

Doreen, you have a great team (but you know that) and Transition Projects is a great organization. After I'm more settled in my situation, I intend to volunteer some time to giving back some of what you gave to me. TPI was there for me when I needed help and that means a lot. Again, thanks and I look forward to making some positive contribution in the next 6 months.

Regards,
Bob L.

o: Transition Projects

When I first came to TPI for services, I was homeless, dirty, depressed and addicted to crack cocaine. I was scared and had reached my all time bottom. I committed many crimes to feed my ongoing addiction and, sadly enough, I paid the price. (That's the negative.)

When I came to TPI [the last time], I was ready 100% to play an active role in changing my behavior, my thinking and my life. Your agency, with its open and caring employees, helped bring my soul alive. I am clean, sober, employed and safely housed in my own home. I have confidence now that I've dreamed of having for over 16 years. Thank you all for opening the doors to change.

And I especially give thanks to Jean's Place. You all are a true gift from God.

With sincere appreciation,

[A former Jean's Place resident]

In November, 1997, I was living with my nephew in Portland, but I felt like I was getting in his way, so I left. I was on the streets, sleeping in a car.

I ended up in Hooper Detox because of a heroin problem. While there, I heard about Transition Projects. When I left Hooper, I went to TPI.

I started at Glisan Street, and began going to AA and NA meetings. And I maintained my sobriety. I felt like someone opened a door for me and I had to go through it.

One day, I went to Sisters of the Road Café (a social service agency that feeds about 250 people each day), and I asked the Manager how to get a job there. She told me that a position would be open in a month. In the meantime, I volunteered at Sisters, did odd jobs and day labor.

A month later, I went back and applied, and got the job. I became a cashier. Meanwhile, I moved to the Clark Center, and saved money. At first I didn't want to move, but I was very glad to be in such a nice place. Going to Clark is like graduating.

I saved enough money to get a brand new apartment. Eventually, I became the Day Manager at Sisters. On July 13th, 1999, I will have been here one year. What I have now, I owe to TPI.

My advice to others: All you have to do is have it in your heart to make it. The door is open. Walk through.

In 1996, I was living in Virginia Beach, VA, but I was homesick. Sending some resources ahead of me, I returned home in 1996. When I arrived in Oregon, I found that the people I had sent my belongings to had used or "lost" them, and I was homeless.

I had a car, which I slept in when I didn't have money for a room. I tried to get into shelters, but, being a single woman, there were none [for me] at the time.

Through a set of circumstances, I ended up in the emergency room of a hospital on July 5, 1998, and from there to Jean's Place. Things began to happen for me.

I had a clean, safe place to stay while I got my health under control and back on my feet. The people at Jean's Place hooked me up with resources I didn't even know existed.

In December 1998, I moved into my own apartment. [I] furnished that apartment with the help of several agencies and private parties (referred to me by Jean's Place).

So I want to say a huge thank you to Transition Projects and all the other people who spend their time and energy to help those of us who find ourselves in the unfortunate position of being homeless. I am forever grateful.