Easing the Burden – Elliot’s Story
For all his life Elliot has been a hard worker, always ready to get the job done no matter how grueling the task is. He spent 15 years, dedicating his career to hospital work, enduring long hours and high-stress situations. Though his workaholic nature made him well-suited for the job, the intensity began to take a toll on his physical and mental health. Seeking a less taxing career, he followed his passion for cooking and became a chef for the next decade. While he enjoyed cooking, it always kept him on his toes and proved to be just as stressful as his previous work. Never in his life did Elliot have a sit-down job or more than a few moments to relax.
Elliot’s life at home was not much of a relief either, as his relationship was on a downward slope. After a period of constant disagreement, his partner had separated from him, taking ownership of the house they once shared.
“I lost a lot, and it was really rough to have everything swept away so quickly” he recalls.
With his family living far away, Elliot felt isolated and forced to navigate his struggles alone. He moved into a run-down motorhome, a stark contrast to the spacious house he once had but was thankful he wasn’t out on the streets. Here, he tried to begin putting the pieces of his life back together. However, rather than making a triumphant recovery, Elliot feels as though he truly lost himself during this time.
Many nights he was kept awake from insomnia, thinking about everything he lost and wondering how he was going to be able to pull himself out of this situation. His lack of sleep only added to all of the stress from his previous relationship and work, leading him to turn to drinking for an outlet. More and more of his money went towards alcohol, causing him to miss monthly rent here and there. Overall, Elliot’s health was declining.
“Drinking was a sort of scapegoat for me to ease the burden of all the stress” he admits.
Elliot’s breaking point came when he fell into a coma for four days. All of the compiled stress, drinking, and self-neglect had taken its toll.
Upon waking up, Elliot realized he needed to make some drastic changes in his life. That’s when he sought out Habitat for Humanity for help. After meeting with our Supportive Outreach Services team at the Life Building Center, Elliot was able to find housing in Harmony Village, our affordable housing development in Yuba City.
Since moving to Harmony Village, Elliot has found a renewed sense of hope and claims he is able to focus more on the positive aspects of his life. He finds joy in being able to make his bills each month and appreciates the staff for being so supportive. He no longer drinks and the less stressful environment has allowed him to prioritize his health, making regular visits to his doctor. Among other things, Elliot still loves to help others and has played a huge role in community potlucks, barbeques, and other cookouts at Harmony. The community garden, group journaling sessions, arts and crafts, and other resident events at Harmony Village have given him a sense of belonging and inner peace. Additionally, since moving into Harmony Village, Elliot has adopted a new puppy, called “Doggy”, so he no longer feels like he must tackle life alone.
More than anything, Elliot feels an overwhelming sense of gratitude and wishes to extend his sincerest thanks towards the staff and everyone at Habitat who helped him secure his home at Harmony Village.
“This place is a blessing, the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I hope to be here a long time” he states.
If there’s any lesson to be gained from Elliot’s journey it’s that hard work truly does pay off. Despite numerous setbacks, Elliot persevered and found a place where he can now call home. Better yet, his story shows that home is not just where you live, but where you find your community, your support, and ultimately, yourself.
