Meet Mary: Modesto Team Member

Success Update: Mary has been housed as of May 2021!

“My son died. I didn’t want to face the reality of it. And I became an alcoholic. I’ll admit it. That’s why I’m homeless.”

After losing her son, she slipped into alcoholism. “I didn’t work anymore. I just wanted to drink. I lost my housing because I didn’t want to face the reality of my son’s death. But I spent three months in jail – and I had to face reality. I decided to be sober.”

When Mary left jail, she had no housing and was forced to take refuge by a river. “There were places you could hide by the river. That made me feel safe. Before my partner OD’d, he left me with a pitbull– Lil’ One. So even after he passed, I still had my dog.. She was there. She let me know if anybody showed up.” Mary stayed by the river and on the streets for nearly six years.

One day, a local Modesto Police officer found her by the river. “He probably doesn’t remember this, but I do. It’s really what started me down a different path. He told me to go to the safe sleeping site or lose my Lil’ One.”

Like many cities across California, Modesto has seen a marked rise in homelessness. One solution cities often turn to are Safe Sleeping Sites– or locations where those experiencing homelessness can legally put up tents.

Sadly, the safe sleeping site was no different than living on the streets for Mary. “People thought it was like a FEMA Camp. When I would get dog food, people would steal it. There was a lot of theft.” This experience, combined with the trauma of living on the streets, left Mary in a poor state. When she transitioned into a traditional shelter, Mary was shy, anxious, and quiet.

She was also cynical about Downtown Streets Team. She chuckles wryly, “Yeah, I read about that in the paper. I was like that’s not going to last. Well, you guys have been here for two years now.” Despite this initial skepticism, Mary still went with her friend and now fellow Team Member Donna. “I waited for six weeks to get on the Team. I was thinking at the time I got to do something better than what I was doing. And my friend said Downtown Streets Team would get me there.” 

But despite her goals and her hard work, Mary had to leave the Team due to an unknown illness that prevented her from walking.  Mary left the Team, and returned to the shelter. Even though she knew she could not physically be on the Team, she still missed the community and the fellowship. But one of the Team Leads in Modesto suggested Mary get an electric scooter and, she quickly rejoined. “I am so glad you all are so accommodating. That was important.”

She also laughs – “I don’t know when it happened, but all of a sudden I was way more talkative. Before, I barely talked. And now, you can’t get me to shut up!” And on May 24, Mary got the keys to her place. “For the first time in six years, me and Lil’ One have a place to call our very own.”

Mary sits back and reflects on everything: “Homelessness and homeless people aren’t diseases. We are human. When people choose to see the bad, that’s all they ever see,” wiping away a tear, she talks about where she is now. “I became somebody I like. I like who I am now. I like that I can afford to feed my dog.”