Jimmy Tyson grew up on the water in Arnold, MD. His dad, a successful pharmaceuticals salesman, told him if he became a plumber, he’d never be broke. That advice proved true. For a time.

Jimmy left home at 18 to launch a career that would land him a plumbing superintendent’s job at a Baltimore hotel, then his own company with four em­ployees. What Jimmy did not anticipate was that years of verbal abuse from his father would take a toll on him. Even as his success grew and he started his own family, he struggled emotionally and fell to substance use. He lost everything. For five years he lived in a tent not far from where he grew up, in the woods outside Glen Burnie.

During that time, Jimmy traveled regularly to Health Care for the Homeless and held onto his tools—determined to get his life back on track. “I want to be pro­ductive again,” he explains. Thanks to your support, he is getting that chance.

In October, Jimmy moved into Sojourner Place at Argyle Avenue, a permanent supportive housing development for individuals experiencing chronic home­lessness created in partnership with Episcopal Housing Corporation. “It’s hard to even describe to somebody what it’s like,” he says. “It’s a new start for me in my life. And I’m grateful to have it.”

Jimmy says his return to a stable, full life will take time. “When I was living by myself, I kind of dropped out of society.” Trusting others became tough. “And some of those things take a while to come back.” At Sojourner Place, Jimmy has the supportive services and the community in place to help with the transition.

Your ongoing compassion and commitment are critical to expanding housing opportunities for neighbors like Jimmy. Twelve apartments at Sojourner Place are just the beginning. Read more about how your support and our partnership with Episcopal Housing ended homelessness for Jimmy and 11 others here.