A Long Walk To Lydia – James’ Story
Lydia Resident Spotlight – Written by Dylan Novacek, Content Specialist
“It’s been a long journey,” James said, taking a deep breath. “I was immediately homeless after exiting prison. After finding a shelter in Tyler, Texas I tried going out on my own. But I felt so restless. I’ve walked just about everywhere. My time walking through the states is something I think back on a lot…”
Never knowing deep roots, James walked the long road with a weight on his shoulders. Coming from years of abuse and trauma, he worked against a system designed to fail individuals like him with a background of chronic homelessness. Longing for a home and community of his own, he found Lydia.
“During my travels, I always found something unique about each state I passed through. For four months I walked the Appalachian Trail to New York. For a time, Utah was my favorite state. The terrain and the Great Salt Lake was beautiful. But it was in Minnesota where I finally found a place to call home.
“I was brought to Minnesota by two people who were just making the trip. The next thing I knew, I wound up being left on the corner of Larpenteur Avenue, where the ramp meets the freeway. All my possessions drove away from me. I walked to the Red Cross and had a six month stay at the Dorothy Day Center. There, someone approached me and asked if I wanted to move into Lydia apartments.”
Before coming to Lydia, James was uncertain where he’d find himself next. He couldn’t bear any more roadblocks on his journey. James felt peace upon entering the building. He liked it right away and his mind was made up. Lydia, Beacon’s first deeply affordable apartments, has been his home for 14 years.
“Home is my sweet home! I’ve never stayed in one place for this long before,” he beamed, smiling ear to ear. “I love being in Minnesota. The lakes, the sport teams…I don’t much care for the mosquitos though,” he laughed.
“The staff at Lydia truly believes in their residents. Everyone here is so courteous to anybody who comes through the front doors. They only want the best for us once we’re here and when we leave.”
With onsite services from our partners at Avivo, residents such as James find the support they need to succeed and create home. Processing the trauma that comes from being without a home, Lydia’s community-centric building with case managers makes that transition much easier for people like James.
Click here to learn more about Beacon’s partnership with Avivo and how we work together to support each other in our shared mission and vision…
Taking part in community activities offered in the building, James has grown to love his community. Thanks to the support he’s found, James knows he doesn’t have to walk alone anymore. He takes that to heart as he supports his neighbors in the building.
“When I first moved in, I was shy and had a lot to sort out for myself. Losing my mother, abuse from my father, assault in prison. I don’t want to sugarcoat it – things were not easy. But when I came to Lydia, I found that everyone understands me for who I am. I get the privacy when I need it, and the staff is always here for me too. Here, I am comfortable and safe with neighbors I care about.
“A lot of residents here are shy when they first move in. I make sure to see that everyone feels welcome. Slowly you start to come out and know how to speak with everyone. Sometimes having pets makes it a lot easier too.”
A pet friendly building, Lydia allows residents to have cats, dogs, and even birds! While James doesn’t have a pet of his own, a canine connection helped him meet his best friend in the building.
“My best friend has the cutest little dog. She’s a mini pit-bull! That dog really broke the ice for us,” he grinned.
For James, living in community with his neighbors means looking out for them and seeing that everyone is in a place of wellbeing and stability. From welcoming new neighbors and sharing food donations, James’ most treasured pleasure of home is receiving the Star Tribune. He always makes sure the building has a copy.
“I never had my own address before and I don’t use the internet, so I love getting the paper! I am always sure to get to the sports section first. Since moving to Minnesota, I’ve loved keeping up with the local sports teams. Before the pandemic I’d love going down to Target Field for a Twins game or over to St. Paul to see the Wild. Although, I am not a very big fan of those Timberwolves…”
One thing James loves about his home at Lydia is its location. Many of our Beacon homes are located on bus lines and places that help enable residents like James to live the life they’ve always wanted. Often, he looks at the Minneapolis skyline and breathes easy knowing he has a place to call his own.
“I am fearless and determined,” he said, reflecting on this long journey. “Even though I’ve been at Lydia for well over a decade, I still think about the past a lot. There was this dream I had in the summer of 2018. I was in this shelter, and was thrown out because of my troubles…I tried breaking back in. This dream felt so real…”
Before coming to Lydia, James dreamed of home. Thankfully, when he woke up that morning, he was safe and secure in his own bedroom, in his own home, at Lydia apartments.
Continue following James’ story in part two…
Lydia is Beacon’s first home for individuals experiencing homelessness. It even predates the Beacon name. Together we work to create a world where all people have a home, and it starts in our own communities. Support our work to double the number of Beacon homes so more people like James can thrive in a community of their own. Click here to donate.
