Karen

By all accounts, Karen has undergone a complete transformation since she began living at the Lighthouse Residence operated by Bethesda House of Schenectady. Now known for a “smile that lights up a room,” Karen has traveled a long journey since she first arrived at the residence six years prior.

Karen began living in the Lighthouse Residence after being arrested for attempting to sleep in a grocery store. Prior to her arrest, she had been living on the street, walking the roads of Schenectady all night to keep warm and safe. She had been homeless for almost ten years, and though she was clearly struggling with mental illness, she received no medical or disability benefits. She had no contact with her daughters or grandchildren and rarely spoke to anyone when she visited the Bethesda House Hospitality Center.

With help from the Lighthouse Residence staff, Karen has moved from isolation and vulnerability to a stable and satisfying life. Utilizing the “housing first” model, Lighthouse Residence first provided Karen with a sense of safety and stability, allowing her to readjust to living in a home setting before gaining access to medical, financial and mental health assistance.

Since moving to Lighthouse, Karen has “blossomed into a totally different person,” according to Program Director Thomas Morley. She has become more outgoing, displaying a sharp wit and sense of humor, and she has stayed engaged with her treatment plan. She has also reconnected with her family. She has also taken it upon herself to give back to Bethesda House: She plays an important role in the annual homeless street count, helping to identify locations where homeless people can be found and helped. Karen is a pillar of the Lighthouse community of tenants. Her story, in short, exemplifies what every case manager hopes for in his or her clients. For her transformation, the Network honored Karen in 2008 with its Tenant of the Year award.

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