30th Anniversary Gala Snapshot—Solomon Frazier

Below are remarks from Solomon Frazier, a Project HOME alumnus and current SEPTA employee.

Good evening, my name is Solomon Frazier. I am humbled and privileged to be here tonight to help Project HOME celebrate it's 30th anniversary.

I became a resident of Project HOME’s Hope Haven II in 2012. At that time, I had been in a recovery house for 9 months, trying to work on my addiction with very little support. When I learned I’d have to leave the recovery house, I started praying, “God I don’t want to go back out there. The odds are against me.”

Someone told me about Project HOME, and after talking to some of the residents, I decided it was where I needed to be. When I got to Hope Haven, I found a beautiful room that I knew I could make my own. During the two years I spent there, the staff connected me with the supports I needed to maintain my recovery. More than that, they loved me until I could learn to love myself again.

They also connected me to HAAS Recovery and Employment Services. I met Alexis Pugh, and she walked me through getting my resume ready and applying for jobs. She told me about an opportunity at SEPTA. I applied, passed an assessment test, and I was hired as a Maintenance Custodial Driver with the Regional Rail. I couldn’t believe it. I was 54 years old and one of the first residents to be hired from Project HOME. It was like somebody had laid a huge gift in front of me.

I am a pioneer for Project HOME and SEPTA. They believed in me, and I try to show my appreciation in my work every day. Now, I have been with SEPTA for 5 years and I am fully vested in my pension. But I’m not stopping now! I consider myself a representative of Project HOME every day that I’m at work, and I plan to keep on representing as long as God will allow me. Finding Project HOME and having this job was like hitting the Powerball lottery. But I wouldn’t trade my wellness, my self-respect and my work for all those millions. I love you, Project HOME. Happy 30th Anniversary!