FACES OF HOPE
BLAKE'S STORY
When Blake H came up the 19 steps of HOPE, it wasn’t because he was struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, mental health issues, or coming out of incarceration… he had a good job with Amazon and had put his past drug issues long ago behind him. What he stated led him into homelessness was the rising cost of just about everything: gas, food, clothing (mainly for his two kids that he wanted to support even though they weren’t living with him), and even haircuts! The last straw was when the house he was renting was sold, and the new landlord raised rent by over 20%.
JASON'S STORY
Jason J experienced a similar issue when he contracted COVID and suffered from long COVID for several months. The fatigue, exhaustion, and other symptoms caused him to miss so much work that eventually he was let go. Having never been homeless before, the emotional trauma of coming to a shelter merely exacerbated his physical issues and he considered checking himself into a behavioral health center. But in his words, “God led me to HOPE… both in the literal sense (to the mission) but also to a place that has met all my needs until I was fully recovered.” Being fully recovered as of July, Jason was able to go back to his employer, Reading Truck and Body, where he’s welding again and training others.
CHARLES' STORY
"When I'm working in the greenhouse, there are too many blessings to walk backwards."
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Charles, a 27 year old Army veteran dealing with depression and PTSD, has found a place of peace and spiritual renewal at Hope Rescue Mission and working in the new greenhouse. He not only finds purpose in restoring his own life but enjoys growing fresh produce to nourish the other men living at Hope.
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"I would love to continue to help others like Hope Rescue Mission has helped me!"
JULIUS' STORY
"I thought I had it all, but I lost it because of alcohol, and I was a mess, but I still thought I was okay."
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At the age of 50, Julius found himself alone and at the door of Hope Rescue after losing everything due to his addiction to alcohol. After working hard at a local rehab center, Julius returned to Hope and is focused on his recovery from addiction and building a new life for himself.
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For the past 6 months, Julius has helped us to increase our efforts in keeping a clean and sanitized building during the pandemic. He is happy for the job experience and for work that allows him to keep others healthy and safe.
CHEYENNE'S STORY
When Cheyenne arrived at LightHouse, she was carrying more than just the weight of her belongings—she was carrying the weight of heartbreak, postpartum depression, and uncertainty about her family’s future. After the birth of her youngest daughter in 2022, her partner left, and Cheyenne found herself in a dark place, struggling with suicidal thoughts while still managing to keep the bills paid. In a moment of courage, she reached out to her mother and asked for the space to heal. She moved in with her parents, but just six months later, the home they were staying in was sold, and Cheyenne faced another turning point. Rather than give in to despair, she saw it as a chance to lay a new foundation for her life. That’s when she found LightHouse.
“What impacted me most was having a safe, clean environment to come home to,” she shared. “I’ve always been a workhorse, but for the first time, I could focus on my goals without being overwhelmed. I knew that we were going to be okay.”
With the support of caring advocates who pushed her and believed in her, Cheyenne gained the confidence to pursue a full-time job instead of relying solely on part-time waitressing. Drawing on her strong customer service skills and work ethic, she landed a position in the car industry—and within six months, she was promoted to Service Advisor at Acura. She now earns a salary plus commission, making more than she ever thought possible. Cheyenne graduated from the LightHouse program and moved out in April of 2025.
Her journey is a testament to strength, healing, and the power of a supportive community.
“I believe my life has been full of lessons and tests so I can grow,” she says. “There are a lot of people you meet along the way who are homeless, and you’d never know it. But when you are a mother, you can’t stop—you just have to keep it together for them.”
Today, her children are thriving and so is she.
CARRIE'S STORY
After a stay at critical care, Carrie found herself being discharged from the Reading Hospital with nowhere to go. “I began crying and a nurse asked me why. I told her I was crying because I had no place to go—I was homeless,” Carrie shared. The nurse then gave her a piece of paper with a list of Berks County shelters, including LightHouse. “I began making calls, and the next day I came here and got accepted into the program. That nurse was an angel of mercy to let me know about LightHouse.”
Her new temporary home exceeded her expectations. “When I first got here, I thought to myself this looks like a hotel room,” she said. She doesn’t have a roommate and said her room feels like a small studio apartment. “I have my own large bathroom, microwave, refrigerator, kitchenette, bed and wardrobe for my things,” she said. “It is more than comfortable and truly my safe space. This is a beautiful, beautiful place when you hit rock bottom. God’s spirit is everywhere here.”
Beyond the comfortable residence, Carrie has found a sense of community. “I have a supportive community where we are all experiencing the same thing: our homelessness.” Prior to retirement, Carrie, who has three grown sons, worked as an assistant director at an adult care facility for seniors until she developed serious health issues. “I became very ill and had to go on disability. I could no longer perform my duties, which was absolutely one of the most painful parts of my journey—saying goodbye to a beautiful work community that gave me so much purpose and love.”
In an effort to find housing, she has seen that there is not enough supply to meet the demand for low-income housing for seniors. “I grew up in an affluent family, and my husband made very good money,” Carrie said. “Homelessness does not discriminate.” Carrie received wonderful news recently when she learned she was accepted into a senior housing program and will be moving out soon. Carrie has truly appreciated her time at LightHouse, particularly the friendships she has made. “They have become my family. It’s a compassionate and caring environment where every resident receives respect.”