From Riverbank to Residence

Johnny and his wife Melissa have a young son who has autism. One of their biggest goals is to keep life as stable as possible for him. For years, they lived in the same apartment. However, a rent hike shattered their stable life, forcing them to vacate their apartment. Despite having two incomes, finding a new home they could afford proved impossible, leaving them to live by the river in their truck.

Thankfully, UGM's Search + Rescue team found Johnny's family.

"They brought food, water, blankets, sleeping bags, beanies. They looked out for us.” - Johnny

By showing up regularly, UGM built a relationship with Johnny and Melissa. Over time UGM learned about their situation and was able to refer them to a caseworker who started looking for apartments for them. Finally, off the streets, Johnny and Melissa are grateful not only for their new home but also for the kindness of strangers.