In 2021, Community Housing Network (CHN) received an extraordinary gift from an anonymous donor. This generous individual not only made a significant donation to expand our team of service coordinators but also pledged to match donations through 2023—and again in 2024. Thanks to this donor’s kindness, along with the incredible support of our community, CHN was able to hire additional Supportive Housing Coordinators. As a result, caseloads per coordinator dropped from 200 to just 50.
Anyone can see the impact in those numbers, but I want to share what this change has truly meant for the people we serve.
A Supportive Housing Coordinator’s Perspective
I have been a Supportive Housing Coordinator at CHN for 2 years. My role—and that of my fellow coordinators—is to assess each client’s unique needs and develop plans to help them thrive. Many of the individuals we serve have faced lifelong disadvantages and overwhelming barriers to stability, from accessing food and securing Social Security benefits to affording rent and utilities. The application processes for these basic necessities are complicated and time-consuming, requiring patience, resources, and advocacy.
For many of our clients, the struggle feels endless. Many have experienced trauma that leaves them feeling powerless to improve their circumstances. But with reduced caseloads, we are now able to offer them the dedicated attention they deserve.
One Client’s Journey to Stability
One of my clients spent 47 years in prison and had never lived on his own before receiving housing through CHN. Shortly after moving in, he was hospitalized. When he returned, we discovered that his electricity had been disconnected due to an unpaid balance accumulated while he was away. I was able to secure funding to cover his overdue bill, restoring his power and giving him a fresh start. But just as things were looking up, his parole board rescinded their approval for his housing.
Determined to fight for my client, I wrote a character letter detailing his incredible growth. I had multiple conversations with his parole officer, advocating for him to remain in his home. Finally, the board reversed their decision, allowing him to stay.
Six months later, this client is thriving. He has a part-time job, has built a supportive community, and—most importantly—finally has a safe space to heal. Words cannot express how grateful he is for CHN and the people who made his stability possible.
The Power of a Helping Hand
This is just one of many stories that highlight the impact of our work. Beyond the tangible support—like securing housing or connecting clients with food—I have also become one of the few sources of encouragement in my clients’ lives.
I’ve been the only person to wish some of my clients a happy birthday. I’ve sat beside them in the emergency room and offered comfort in their final days in hospice. These moments aren’t tracked on a spreadsheet, but they are the most meaningful measures of the work we do.
There are countless times when this job fills me with pride. Every time I help a client maintain their housing, find food for the night, or believe in their own potential, I know it was made possible by the generosity of our community.
To the anonymous donor who made that first gift, and to all who contributed to maintain this program—thank you. To anyone considering a donation to CHN, please know that your support changes lives in real time.
Together, we are making a difference.
