Celebrating The People We Serve

As we celebrate 98ɫ����’s 60th year, we want to spotlight some of the things that make 98ɫ���� special. The most important people at 98ɫ���� are those we serve, who are our reason for existence. From them, we learn about resilience, recovery, hope, joy, and the power within us all to follow our dreams and create the lives we want to live.

Today’s Spotlight: John

“I didn’t even feel normal, I just felt like an animal out there just surviving, you know, almost like a wolf running through the woods just looking for their next meal. It just didn’t seem like... just didn’t even want to live.” – John

Today, we’re sharing John’s journey and partnership with Kearny Vista Permanent Supportive Housing. John faced homelessness in San Diego, battling addiction and significant medical challenges while feeling alone and unsure of his future.

Everything started to change when John connected with 98ɫ����. “These people like my family,” John shares. Through steady support, he found stability, community, and the resources to build a new life. “Now my whole life has changed, you know, it’s just a real good feeling knowing every morning I can wake up and take a shower, you know, myself clean, clean clothes.”

Now three years sober, John credits 98ɫ���� with helping him find hope again. “I want to live today and tomorrow now, you know, with a smile. … I can actually pat myself on the shoulder, say, ‘John, you know, you’ve come a long ways... and you did it.’”

With the support of the Kearny Vista team, John secured a stable place to live and access to essential mental health care. This stability has allowed him to rebuild his life and regain hope for the future. He credits 98ɫ���� for stepping in at a crucial moment, helping him make real and lasting change when he needed it most.

Programs like , , and the aren’t just about housing. They are about second chances and creating space for people like John to heal, grow, and rediscover who they’re meant to be.