Bobby's Story

Bobby was once a world renowned boxer who traveled the world for most of his adult life. He also taught boxing in New Haven for a few years in between his travels. A series of unfortunate events sent him to the streets where he lived for 15 years, sleeping in places like the Burger King on Whalley Avenue, in doorways, and around Yale’s campus — using cardboard and newspapers to keep himself warm. He's even suffered from frostbite on his feet.

Before I started working with Bobby, he was just a name on a paper telling me he was homeless for seven years and not connected to services. I searched for him but the shelters did not know who he was as he didn’t sleep in them. With assistance, I finally found him in a hospital three months later. 

We connected Bobby with the 62+ Pilot Program – a collaboration between five Greater New Haven human and elderly services agencies, including Continuum of Care – that assists chronically homeless individuals ages 62 and older and provides services for aging needs, which he said he did not have. 

When his housing voucher came through he looked at three apartments before choosing one. He found just what he was looking for – a clean, one-bedroom apartment, close to friends, but quiet. South Central Peer Services was awarded a grant through Yale Medical School, so we were able to purchase an awesome bed for him as well as furniture and other household necessities.

The Housing Authority was unable to inspect his apartment until January 2015, but the landlord allowed Bobby to move in the day before Christmas. What a present!

Now, at age 66, Bobby spends his days hanging out with his friends and enjoying his apartment. He is happy to have a permanent roof over his head and is grateful to all those who helped him get where he is now.


                  -- Elsa Ward, Assistant Director, South Central Peer Services
 

Won’t you consider helping us rebuild the life of someone like Bobby?

 

 

How Your Donation Can Help Someone Like Bobby:

  • $500 Can pay the security deposit for someone transitioning out of homelessness into an apartment
  • $250 Can purchase furniture for a new apartment
  • $200 Purchases a “New Home Basket” with kitchen, bathroom, and cleaning essentials
  • $150 Can buy basic items not covered by medical insurance, like eyeglasses and dentures
  • $100 Helps pay heat, electric, and water bills
  • $50 Can provide necessities like clothes, underwear, socks, and duffle bags
  • $40 Helps pay for a month’s worth of daily bus passes for travel to appointments or a job
  • $25 Can pay for groceries
  • Other All donations directly benefit those who are in our care or are transitioning out to their own apartment

Other Ways You Can Help:

  • $5,000  You can “Adopt a Group Home” operated by Continuum. (Continuum operates 44 group homes in Connecticut, helping individuals to stabilize and live in the community. Just like any home, upkeep and maintenance are ongoing demands.)
  • $2,000  You can help improve the critical health conditions faced by those with serious mental illness by supporting Continuum's Health and Wellness Department.

Continuum of Care, Inc.’s mission is to enable people who are challenged with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, addiction, or homelessness to rebuild a meaningful life and thrive in the community.