Edward Jerome Gaines

Edward grew up in Greenville, Mississippi. After his father died, he followed his mother to California. Edward endured a long battle with depression, alcohol and homelessness. Over the last ten years, he stayed in numerous motels and shelters. When his money ran out, he would lay his head where he could, BART, buses, sometimes taking naps in his storage space. As his depression deepened his drinking escalated.

Edward found help at John George hospital which eventually led him to BOSS’s Oakland Homeless Project and from there to Rosa Parks Transitional Housing. “The OHP program gave me a new outlook on life. My A.A., and my after care program at East Bay Recovery helped me stay sober.” Stabilizing his medication and attending groups at BOSS helped him find focus and showed him that life could be better. “I wish I had come to OHP years before I did, but I am happy I made it.”

Edward has secured permanent housing at the Oaks Residential Hotel in Downtown Oakland. He works part time as a janitor for the Downtown Oakland Senior Center. “I have learned that life does not have to be a struggle. I have found that having living quarters that are stable helps me stay healthy and happy.” Edward’s goals are to obtain full time employment so he can find an even better place to live…and looking ahead to a brighter future. “Homelessness is not a title or a job description, and it’s not a lifestyle. Homelessness is something that happens to people, and when something awful happens, people need help to heal from it.” Edward said.

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