A Leap of Faith
Back in 2021, Gia had an offer to accept a housing voucher based on her mental health diagnosis – but turned it down at the time because of the stigma it carried, and the shame she felt about it – not to mention the restrictions that come with receiving that type of aid. She wanted the freedom of a roof overhead, yet was determined to do it on her own terms.
It wasn’t a decision she made lightly. She grew up with a single mom and knew what it felt like to live in instability, constantly on the move. She remembers the time well.
“When I forfeited my SMI voucher – people kept warning me…you’re going to be homeless. I took a long bath to think about it and thought you know what? I can do this. I can depend on myself. I don’t have to wait for someone to do something for me. I took a leap of faith.”
Ups and Downs
From there, Gia did in fact become homeless – and her journey back to housing was filled with ups and downs.
“You can’t really be homeless in Arizona without winding up in jail,” says Gia. “I had nowhere to go, so I ended up in jail.” Getting out should have felt like freedom, but really it felt like starting back at square one.
“When no one would hire me with a record, I started my own business. I was determined! And I got it out of the mud.”
At that time, Gia was living out of her car, storing supplies in a storage unit for her all-natural line of herbal products. Business was growing, and she was starting to save money for a place of her own.
“But I had evictions on my record, so it was impossible to find a landlord that would take me.” It was a constant push and pull – one step forward, two steps back.
It was only when she made her way to the Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) a project of the City of Phoenix and operated by Keys to Change that she gained access to the stability and ongoing service connections she needed to pull herself out of the cycle.
A Place to Regroup
“SOS gets you a tent, a blanket. And some of the coolest people you’ve ever met,” says Gia. “It was a place for me to regroup. Meditate. Recharge. A space to get my thoughts together.”
It was also a place to build solutions. With help from the team at Keys to Change, Gia was able to complete the Valley Metro class to earn a 1-year bus pass. Staff helped her with her resume and online applications. She secured a part time job – which helped her afford a car again – which then led to full time work.
“Gia was a pleasure,” says Doug with Keys to Change. “Always motivational. Always happy, always smiling. She was a real go-getter and inspired a lot of people while she was a resident at SOS. A lot of people missed her when she left.”
Now, Gia has two jobs working in hotel management. She has a place of her own, which she pays for on her own – no voucher needed.
“It means the world to me to have somewhere that’s mine to rest. Really rest,” says Gia. “Somewhere to cook my food. Somewhere to have peace of mind. And of course – somewhere to be out of the heat.”
Gia still visits with friends she made at SOS, providing social support and inspiration.
“If you’re homeless and don’t know where to go – definitely go to SOS and connect with Keys to Change,” says Gia. “You can find resources, you can figure out what the next steps are in your life. Don’t thug it out in the streets. It’s not worth it.”
Finding the Cheat Code
For Gia, it was about balancing the independence of self with the interdependence of community. Being free doesn’t have to mean going it on your own the whole time – sometimes, it means reaching out until you can stand on your own two feet.
In the future, Gia sees herself providing holistic care for the community. She brews teas for pancreatic health, which she wants to share with those who struggle with diabetes – a silent killer among folks experiencing homelessness. Just one more way she plans to give back and provide hope for her neighbors walking in the shoes she used to wear.
“My mom raised me to be positive. You’ve got to see the good – the light – in everything. And you’ve got to love yourself. Loving yourself is key. It’s like the cheat code to life.”
Thank you Gia for spreading your light and sharing your cheat code!
Take Action Now
Donate now to help more people like Gia end their homelessness today. Every story is unique. With your support, Keys to Change helps another five neighbors move home every single day. We rely on community members like you to sustain each journey home.
Photography by Doug Molony, Behavioral Health Specialist, Keys to Change
