Stories that light the way home: Clifton
Written by Clifton for Beacon’s ‘Light the Way Home’ fundraiser. Photography by Rebecca Slater.
Beacon has helped light my way home. Starting when I was 19, I spent two years without a home.
I remember looking around, asking myself if I’d ever be stable, wondering if I’d ever have four walls around me, and a roof over my head. That kind of wondering takes a toll on you.
I can say this with clarity, getting my apartment at Nicollet Square has been a true blessing. It’s allowed me to have relief from mental problems. It’s given me the space to focus on my art, and a place to grow into a man. It’s meant the world to me.
The first day I will never forget was in 2019. I had just moved into my apartment. It was Thanksgiving and for me, it was a quiet day. I didn’t have many plans, so I went out for a walk. As I was walking, I started to think about my life, what I could have been, and how far I had come from those nights in a shelter.
I remember I walked by this old man. He stopped and said to me, “You look like someone who should be important.” I said, “What?” with a surprised look on my face. He said, “I don’t know why, I don’t even know you, but you just look like someone who should be important.”
That moment spoke to me. It made me recognize that I deserve this. That I should keep going. That I shouldn’t give up.
The second memory happened during the pandemic. I had been living at Nicollet Square for a couple of years. I lost my job, and I was behind on rent. I thought I was going to be evicted and wondered what might come next.
I wasn’t the only one though. There were a lot of people worried about how they might stay in their homes. I was talking to this other guy who also lives at Nicollet Square about my problems. He didn’t have much. But yet, he helped me pay for my rent. I couldn’t believe it!
When I asked what made him go out of his way to help me, he said that he wanted me to be successful. I really appreciated how he gave because he wanted me to do well in life. And that opened my eyes up. It gave me a new perspective on how to be humble, how to respect others, how not to assume others’ situations or intent. I try to be generous whenever I can.
As you think about how you might help light the way home for people in your community, I’ll just say that my home gave me an opportunity to pause, to look back, and think about my choices. The support that I’ve received at Nicollet Square is something I’m grateful for – even the rules! Because even though some people don’t like rules, they’re keeping me safe. It helped me to point myself in the right direction.
And, I’ll say this – even with all of us in the room today, this isn’t just about me and you. There are social problems, inflation, the economy, generational determinants of wealth. There’s a huge gap between people with lots of privilege and people without.
But let’s think about that – think about the next to come. Generosity will help us build hope together.
Thank you!
Watch more stories that light the way home and consider making a gift today to help Beacon light the way for families, policy, and home.
