“I’ve come a long way from where I was.”

“I’m surprised at how well I have been maintaining being on my own. I’m enrolled in counseling, I just started a job, and I’m living in an apartment with a roommate.”

Travis* first came to the Coffee Oasis Serra House at the end of 2019 feeling that he had nowhere to go. He had recently been hospitalized due to a heroin overdose and was still struggling with addiction and his mental health. He had been told he couldn’t return home until he had made some changes.

His mother contacted the Serra House. She was very concerned for her son and felt helpless—she didn’t know what to do to help keep him safe.

Travis ended up living at the Serra House for the next six months between hospitalizations for substance abuse and suicidal ideation.

Travis’ mother expressed her appreciation for the support she received as a parent from The Coffee Oasis staff saying… “There are not many resources out there for the parents. You know what is out there? The Coffee Oasis. You have really helped my heart.”

While at the Serra House, Travis met with a case manager and was connected with a mental health counselor. He put together a resume and applied for internships. He faced many challenges, but kept being open about his circumstances. He shared about his experience saying…

“There have been ups and downs. But in all reality all [The Coffee Oasis] is doing is supporting me and making us into better people.”

“I have gotten more mature than before. Staff at the Serra House have bent over backwards for me. All the chances they gave me—times I should have been exited [from the shelter]. But the whole reason I wasn’t: I was honest about everything going on. This is something I have learned through my struggles—honesty gets you further than lying.”

Upon his 18th birthday, Travis moved out of the shelter and was connected with a partner agency. He was also transferred into the Serra House After-Care program where he continued to check in regularly with shelter staff.

More than a year later, Travis is living independently and still checks in with The Coffee Oasis staff. He has expressed his relationship with his family has improved and that he is proud of himself for everything he has accomplished.

“I’m trying my absolute hardest to go all out and do what I need to do to survive. It’s not fun and games in the world.”

“I have hope for the future to have a good life.”

*name changed to respect privacy