"For the first time in a while, I feel good."

Xavier and his mom had a good life: he was working, they had a 2-bedroom house, and life was going on as normal. Unfortunately, a brain cyst and subsequent surgery left him unable to keep up with his physically demanding warehouse job. Without any way to continue paying rent, he and his mom found themselves homeless. They split into two separate shelters: Xavier stayed at the Nevada Cares Campus and his mom entered a Women’s Shelter.

At the Cares Campus, Xavier’s case manager referred him to the Reno Works program. Although he was excited for the opportunity, he wasn’t sure he would be able to work. The surgery had left him weak in his left side and he spent months working with speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. After going through the interview process, though, and being accepted to the program, Xavier decided it was worth a try.

At Reno Works, Xavier was challenged to push himself, not only physically but mentally. He was thrilled to find out that he could, in fact, work. He began to feel confident again, and was motivated to find a more permanent place of work and a home of his own. Today, he is pushing toward his dream. Xavier has a full-time job with the City of Reno and spends his days helping others who are experiencing homelessness, just like he was. He has moved into a place of his own, with his mom living right next door. For the first time in a long time, Xavier feels like he has found his purpose, and he is excited for whatever the future brings.