Many Mansions has many wonderful residents and supporters that contribute their time, energy, and hearts to our mission. They support our efforts and we could not succeed without their help.
The following are a few stories about Many Mansions which have been compiled from the residents, current and former staff, supporters and community partners. Heartfelt, heartwarming and sometimes humorous, these stories give a true picture of what it is like to be homeless, housed, to fail, to recover, to be part of a community.
We would like to share their stories with you!
A Humbling Experience
Emily
Before Many Mansions, I hit a bit of a rough spot. The best way I can describe it is it was a humbling experience. I was homeless with my son. We were sleeping on the floors of my friends’, just anywhere I could find because we had lost our place. It was a really hard, hard time for us, for me especially. I tried to keep it sheltered from my son so it was as normal as possible for him. But it was really challenging, and, like I said, humbling.
And then Ventura County Behavioral Health got me connected with Many Mansions. It was overwhelming. It was almost too much to just get that support and that help. I’m going to school, and I have a goal to finish school and to get my degree in Art Therapy. All the resources that they’ve helped me with and all the support they’ve given me, setting goals every month, and just having that support team around me has held me accountable. It’s helped me see that there are people out there that want to see me succeed. That support alone has kept me going, and I’ve gotten somewhere where I didn’t ever think was possible before. I’m forever grateful to Many Mansions for their help and their support, and I’m just in awe at all the opportunities that have presented themselves because of Many Mansions. I don’t know where I would be today without them, but I’m definitely better off than I would’ve been for sure.
A New Hope
Kevin
I was homeless, living in the bushes and trees, on the freeway ramps—wherever I can get away from the police. Now that I live in Many Mansions, my life is dramatically good. I have an apartment, thanks to Behavioral Health and Many Mansions combined. I’m getting support from Mental Health. I’m getting support from Many Mansions. They’ve been very patient with me through my breakdowns and crises, making sure I’m alive every day and trying to make me feel better. Thanks for everything.
Health Comes First
Caroline
Before Many Mansions, I was running low on options. I had mental illness and I was trying to do my best. Through Many Mansions, I was able to put my health first. I needed that more than anything, and I really appreciate all that they’ve done for me. Before Many Mansions, I was never going to have enough to live on my own with just SSI. I was too sick to understand that. Before Many Mansions, I was on the path to never being able to live independently. Through Many Mansions, I was given a choice to be healthy and I was given a choice to make sure that I never had to be that sad or sick again. Now that I live in Many Mansions, I’m able to function in the community. I feel like I’m on top of the world some days, and that’s such a good feeling that I thought would never have again. I just wanted to say thank you so much. It’s been wonderful living here.
Thank You Many Mansions
Anne
I was homeless for five years. I had no income at that time. I was moving around and living in people’s couches for a couple of weeks here and there. I couldn’t move forward with my life because I never knew where I was going to be. This made it difficult to get a job. Now, I have a stable environment. I love it. I am able to know where I am going and make arrangements to get a ride. Many Mansions has workshops and things that are helpful like help filling out resumes and information for us to get acclimated back to the community. I have been able to get a job and it’s wonderful. I love having a home. When I got here, I had nothing and they just provide so much for us. Thank you. Thank you. I am so grateful. From the bottom of my heart, it’s made such a difference in my life.
My Family’s Life Improved For the Better
Crystal & Belen
We’ve lived here all our lives with our parents. They lived here even before it was called Villa Garcia. We didn’t really do much then. We were just at home. We didn’t know anybody.
Then we discovered the programs that Many Mansions had. I started going when I was around 6 or 7. I really like the HC programs. They were really fun. I enjoy doing my homework there because I get help. It raised my grades and encouraged me to do better in school.
I want to thank Many Mansions for all they have done for us. Not just for me and my sister, but also for my Mom and my Dad and my brother. Also for allowing me to be more out in the community and being able to give back instead of just being at home and doing nothing. It helped me to be a better leader throughout the programs that I’ve gone to. It’s also shining light on my sister to do the same thing that I did through the years.
Many Mansions Provided Stability For My Family
Raquel
Before Many Mansions, we lived in Oxnard. We were never stable because I suffer from depression and anxiety. I just kept on going. Me and my kids just moved and moved. It’s like whenever I got anxiety and was ready to get up and go, we would just get up and go.
Living here has given us stability. Even my daughter said this is the longest we’ve ever been in one place, and that’s 3 years. Many Mansions has given me and my kids the stability to excel and to go forward and do great things. My kids, my daughter has so many more opportunities out here, and she’s just doing so great since we’ve been stable.