April's story
'It's been challenging but rewarding'
April works toward her future with the help of recovery-focused permanent supportive housing
April, a Portland Community College student who’s working on her associate’s degree in addiction counseling, has found community and stability at Meridian Gardens, an affordable housing community in Southeast Portland.
Managed by Central City Concern (CCC) Meridian Gardens opened its doors in late 2024. Out of the 85 total homes there, 65 are permanent supportive housing units, made possible thanks to funding from the Multnomah County Homeless Services Department and the Supportive Housing Services measure.
‘Things got worse and worse’
April had been experiencing homelessness for about 10 years, mostly in the Hollywood District in Portland. She says her challenges with addiction played a role in losing her housing.
Experiencing homelessness for that long can be very isolating, April says “That really diminished my self-esteem over time and my confidence. I felt less than human,” she said. “Things got worse and worse, and it got to where, like, I couldn’t stand it anymore.”
It was her love for her dog, Samson, that helped motivate her to make a change. He had been her companion throughout her time experiencing homelessness.
“I had promised to get him an apartment. And I was like, okay, I need to fulfill that promise,” she said. “I laugh about it now, because I knew he deserved an apartment. But it didn’t even click for me, like, wait — I deserve an apartment.”
Accessing shelter and sobriety
For her, the first step to a better future was leaving the neighborhood she’d been for the better part of a decade. She took a MAX train to downtown Portland, knowing that it would bring her closer to the services she needed to get into housing.
The same day she moved across town, she took another big step — deciding get sober.
It was challenging navigating early sobriety while experiencing unsheltered homelessness, April said. For her, a lifeline was her daily visits to Rose Haven, a day center in Northwest Portland that receives funding from Multnomah County.
“I went there every day trying to get into a shelter,” she said. The community and supportive and supportive staff there were valuable to her. “Every milestone I get with my sobriety, they’re like, more happy than I am.”
A couple weeks later, Rose Haven staff helped refer her into a low-barrier shelter. And from there, she connected with the services of Central City Concern, which led her to get outpatient services at the CCC Old Town Recovery Center and then into a spot at the Richard L. Harris building (also known as the 8×8).
April finds home at Meridian Gardens
From there, able to secure her apartment in Meridian Gardens.
“I take pride in my home,” she said. “And I know that whatever happens, I can get help at any given time, so that’s priceless.”
She was even able to share her home at Meridian Gardens with her beloved dog Samson — fulfilling her promise of giving him an apartment — before he passed away at the age of 12. “He did have a really happy life,” she said.
‘Everyone supports me’
She said the staff and fellow residents at Meridian Gardens supported her through the grief of losing her dog. They also supported her in welcoming home a new pet — a black kitten named Moxi.
And, they’re cheering her on as she goes back to school to get her degree in drug and alcohol counseling.
“Everyone supports me, and will ask, ‘So finals are coming, right? How are you doing?’ Or, like ‘What are you taking next semester?’” she said. “I’m halfway through my degree and I don’t question it. Like, I know I’m graduating. So that’s a really good feeling.”
She knows her experiences will help her support other people going through similar challenges. “I’m good at listening without judgment. I think I can make a difference in some people’s lives,” she said.
“It’s been challenging on my way down. And it’s been challenging, but rewarding, on my way back up.”
