After years of laboring in hard, physical jobs and living with substance abuse disorder, Terrle found himself exhausted, broken and homeless. In and out of hospitals and treatment centers, Terrle needed a safe place to heal both physically and emotionally. His life changed when he was referred to the House of Charity Transitional Respite Program. The Transitional Respite Program provides 24/7 shelter, three meals a day and transportation to medical appointments for individuals experiencing homelessness who are healing from acute medical issues. 

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Terrle was overwhelmed when he walked through the doors at HOC. “I was in distress,” Terrle said. He was not ready for the healing that needed to take place and left after the first night. The next day, he knew the respite program was where he needed to be but was worried he would not be allowed back. The opposite was true. The HOC respite coordinator welcomed him back and according to Terrle, she was, “so warm and filled with compassion. I knew it would be okay.”

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Terrle had a team of support at House of Charity who worked tirelessly with his case manager to empower him and help identify and overcome obstacles that were preventing him from finding housing. Terrle said his support team, “did not stop! If we hit a dead end, they just said we’ll figure it out and they tried something else.” Soon their perseverance paid off, and Terrle found a place to call home at Fr. Bach Haven, a 50-unit Catholic Charities property serving individuals who have experienced chronic street homelessness. 

Last month, Terrle moved into his own apartment, and to him, it represents hope. It is a foundation to a future that includes school and job training. His home also represents a connection to his children. The ability to spontaneously invite his son to dinner, at his home, at his table, just before the holidays.