John's journey into homelessness began during one of the most painful seasons of his life. Struggling with alcohol and grieving the loss of two people he loved deeply, John found himself spiraling, unsure of how to find his way forward. In the midst of that darkness, he discovered homeless resources in the Raleigh area and eventually heard about the work happening at Eliza Pool Park. What began as curiosity soon became a turning point.

After connecting with the Eliza Park Homeless Initiative, John says his outlook on life began to change. Through EPHI, he was reminded that compassion still exists and that there are people who genuinely care about creating positive change. "EPHI helped me see that there are good people in this world," John shares, "people who are truly making things better."

John later became part of the Outlanders community, where he found more than just support — he found belonging. Outlanders gave John a sense of community, restored his dignity, and helped him reclaim his pride. Today, John serves as a member of the community's security team, helping ensure the safety and well-being of those around him.

This is the impact Eliza Park Homeless Initiative is having — meeting people where they are, restoring dignity in moments of crisis, and helping bring families back together.