A Place to Begin Again
On any given night, over 5,500 individuals and families across Philadelphia may experience homelessness—with nearly 1,200 of those unsheltered. The Point-in-Time Count offers a window into that reality, capturing numbers, trends, and the urgent need. Behind every number is a person with a story, a history, and a future still unfolding. For Jason, Maureen, and Anthony, Project HOME became more than a resource. It became the turning point that helped them begin again.
Jason still remembers what it felt like to step inside for the first time. After years of instability, navigating life between the streets, shelters, and recovery, he arrived at Project HOME carrying little more than hope. “I slept good,” he said. “I felt safe.”
his home.
That sense of safety is something many take for granted, but for Jason, it marked the beginning of rebuilding his life. Today, he lives in permanent housing at James Widener Ray Homes, Project HOME’s first MPOWER residence. His journey was not immediate or easy. It took time to gather identification, access benefits, and adjust to structure.
“Just take your time. Everything will work out for you,” he said, reflecting on the years it took to fully stabilize.
With the support of Project HOME, Jason navigated not only housing but also healthcare and mental health services. That network of care made a difference. “You got to be ready, mentally and physically ready,” he explained. “They help prepare you for that.” His story is a reminder that housing is not simply about providing keys. It is about creating a foundation where people can rebuild their lives with dignity and support.
For Maureen, the journey home was shaped by both struggle and resilience. After finding Project HOME, she spent two years at Joyce’s Place, a time she describes as life changing.
“It definitely changed my life around for the best,” she said
Today, Maureen has returned to the Northeast, the community she has known her entire life, and her connection to Project HOME remains strong. She still shows up, still participates, still stays connected to the people who supported her when she needed it most. “Project HOME is the best. Without them, I would have never survived,” she shared.
Her journey has not been without challenges, but it has been marked by growth and gratitude. “I’m still trying to find my way, but it’s all good now, one day at a time,” she said. That philosophy has carried her forward and now fuels her desire to give back. “I like to give back now that they give to me,” she added, embodying the spirit of community that defines Project HOME.
Anthony’s story reflects another dimension of that community. A resident at JBJ Soul Homes, he speaks not only about housing, but about connection, joy, and healing. “You’re not alone, or you don’t have to be alone,” he said.
For Anthony, community is essential to well-being. It is found in conversations, shared laughter, and even moments of song. “It gives you an opportunity to release the tensions,” he explained. His presence is vibrant and intentional, rooted in a desire to uplift others. “I just try to help feel the room, bring the joy, and make people happy,” he said.
He also speaks to something deeper, a sense of purpose that has sustained him over the years. “There’s a spiritual presence that has kept me all these years and keeps me,” he shared. That belief, paired with the stability of housing and the strength of community, has allowed him to not only maintain his home, but to thrive within it.
Together, these stories illuminate what the data alone cannot. The PIT Count tells us how many people are experiencing homelessness. Stories like Jason’s, Maureen’s, and Anthony’s show us what is possible when people are met with compassion, support, and opportunity. They remind us that home is more than a place. It is safety. It is healing. It is belonging. For every person still waiting for that chance, Project HOME supports the journey from numbers to names—and from names to stories of hope.
