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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Helen Taylor, Supportive Housing Advocate, on the Importance of Supportive Housing
6:11:02
·
134 sec
Helen Taylor, a supportive housing advocate, shares her personal experience of how having her own apartment through a supportive housing program has transformed her life. She emphasizes the importance of community support and how it has enabled her to pursue opportunities she never had before.
- Taylor went from sleeping in public parks to performing Shakespeare in Central Park
- She highlights the comprehensive support provided by her housing program, including community engagement and practical assistance
- The testimony underscores the life-changing impact of supportive housing programs on individuals who were previously homeless
Helen Taylor
6:11:02
Good afternoon, everyone.
6:11:04
I'm so grateful to be here.
6:11:06
I'm here in my wonderful, supportive housing apartment.
6:11:11
I want to share this apartment is I want to share why this apartment is so very important to me.
6:11:19
Having my apartment, the very first apartment I have ever had in my life, has made a difference in my life today because it is a step closer to fulfilling my mission to live a better life.
6:11:34
It's not just a place to live.
6:11:37
I have tremendous amount of support in my existence.
6:11:41
My immunity is a knowledge.
6:11:43
I am part of a community.
6:11:46
There are people that checks on me.
6:11:48
My birthdays are celebrated.
6:11:50
When I had COVID, people went out and bought me groceries, plus so much more.
6:11:58
Getting my apartment and working with such wonderful people at Society allowed me to go from hanging out and sleeping in the park to performing Shakespeare in the park.
6:12:12
Yes.
6:12:13
That's right.
6:12:14
The creative art department at Fortune Society connected me with the wonderful people of the public theater.
6:12:22
And the next thing I know, I'm acting on stage at the Decor Theater in Central Park with thousands of people watching me every night.
6:12:34
When not too long before that, I had to sleep and see groceries and a public park.
6:12:42
My apartment allows me now to to only be in the park when I want to be, to perform, to practice, and to sit on the bench and listen to the birds.
6:12:55
I'm very grateful for this apartment and the people at Fortune Society.
6:13:00
You really saved my life, and I'm grateful that I'm able to reach out and give back to those who are in this situation that I was in.
Kenny Margarito Alvarez
6:13:09
Thank you.
6:13:09
Time's expired.
Helen Taylor
6:13:11
By activating for more resources for the supported housing.
6:13:15
Thank you.