From Chi-town to Tragedy

Born and raised in Chicago, Jerman built a life centered on family. A proud father of eight, he was deeply devoted to his children and found joy in being present for them.

One of the most meaningful chapters of his life was working as a book publisher, a job he held for seven years. “I would come home and talk to my kids about the books we were publishing and the stories they told. We connected over Harry Potter and other stories. It was special.” At that time, he had a home, a career, and a family, and his life was full in that sense.

Then, an unimaginable tragedy struck – Jerman’s young son Marcus passed away. He was just six years old. The loss was devastating, and Jerman says it led him into psychosis.

“I went clinically insane,” he explains. Grief consumed him, and no effort could fill the void left by his son’s voice, his smile, or the way he played. Reflecting on that time, he says, “I didn’t lose it all – I set it all down.” Ashamed and in pain, he stepped away from the life he had once known.

Lost, Alone, and on the Road

After that, Jerman became homeless. To cope with shame and avoid being seen by people he knew, he began moving from state to state. Traveling became part of his survival strategy. “I didn’t want anyone to see me like that – bummy, smelly,” he says. Each day was uncertain, and daily life required constant vigilance.

Holidays and birthdays were particularly difficult, bringing back memories of happier times. “Those were the worst days,” says Jerman. Through it all, he wanted people to understand that homelessness is not a single story: “Not everyone who experiences homelessness is an addict,” he emphasizes.

Despite these hardships, Jerman held onto his faith. Prayer and small acts of kindness became sources of hope. He recalls a day when strangers offered him more food than he could eat while he was sitting and reading. He chose to share it with another man nearby. “That showed me mercy,” he says. “It gave me an opportunity to reach out.”

While he believes his family would have helped if they had known about his situation, his pride and his mental health struggles prevented him from asking. Instead, support came from organizations, church members, and social workers who checked on him while he was living in his car.

All told, Jerman spent thirteen years without an address.

Success, Stability, and the Possibility of Peace

Today, Jerman defines success as stability. It is having a place to call home, regular check-ins with case managers, access to healthcare, and a community helping him furnish his apartment.

With this foundation, he is now looking forward to his new life ahead. Jerman is studying American Sign Language and hopes to become a sign language interpreter, a goal that reflects both his resilience and his desire to connect with others. And when he reconnects with family, he’ll have something to be proud of.  He’s on his way.

A key part of his success was the support of his case manager, Mary. As a Behavioral Health Specialist with Keys to Change, Mary assists individuals with severe mental illnesses in navigating the housing system.

“Mary helped 100%. She was the driving force,” says Jerman. She guided him through applications, followed up consistently, and ensured he always knew what steps to take next. Beyond practical support, Mary treated him with dignity, and for the first time in years, he felt seen. “I didn’t feel like just a number,” he says.

.With the support of a compassionate community and access to resources, Jerman rebuilt his life, proving that even after profound loss and hardship, hope and stability are never fully out of reach.