Client Stories
Spotlights
“Being with Alcott has given me the confidence I need to get things done and changed my thinking process in a positive direction.”
- Albert
"It’s given me a sense of peace…very much so a sense of security. I feel way better now thinking about what it is I want to do in life."
- Alejandro
“Just being able to speak to people, to speak to somebody, it helps a lot…not holding things in.”
- Erick
Tara was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and later diagnosed with Cerebral Pasly at a young age. She entered foster care at 13 months.
- Tara
Testimonials by Program
Real People. Real Change.
- Alejandro
improved mental health · new home
“I was a hairdresser and very successful in Encino. When my dad’s health, who was living in Israel, began declining, I quit my job so I could help take care of him. It was during that time that COVID hit, and so we were stuck abroad for 2 years. During that time, my partner who I was living with passed away, and when I came back to the US, I was in a state of shock from having nothing. I was not in the best state of mind. I was very depressed. It was at that time that I was connected to a therapist at Alcott, who has been with me ever since. With Alcott’s help, I got connected to collaborative housing, peer support, and even became a Peer Support Specialist myself, which has helped me. Through attending groups, medical appointments, and everything else, my therapist at Alcott has been here encouraging me. My anxiety has not gone away but I have learned to work with it. Alcott has given me the tools to work on myself. It is a lifelong process. With everything going on in the world, you still have to continue to work on yourself. It’s hard being far away from my family, but I have learned to work through it. I hope to reunite with my family again soon.”
- Audrey
improved mental health · new home · Employment
“I was, at one point in my life, homeless and suffering a lot of mental illness including borderline schizophrenia. I was able to go to rehab, and from rehab I heard about Alcott, and came to Alcott, and got a lot better.
Currently I’m in the relationships group and anxiety group, and a little bit of therapy. I get a lot of group feedback, I talk about the problems that I’m having (with anxiety and relationships), and just being able to speak to people — to speak to somebody — it helps a lot…not holding things in. I’ve learned how to be considerate about other people’s feelings, understanding myself—why I did the things I did—a little bit more, you know, and communication skills.”
- Erick
Improved mental health · community
When Jeff came to Alcott, he was without a job, often isolated, and felt a general lack of purpose in his life. Once Jeff began therapy at Alcott and got connected to employment support, his growth immediately skyrocketed: He got hired within weeks, developed friendships with coworkers (they now plan beach bonfires at Dockweiler, billiards nights, etc.), found the motivation to go back to school, and began working on strengthening his family relationships.
Jeff is most proud of “more purpose, more motivation, building skills [at work], and working on obtaining a future career.” He describes Alcott as a place full of “people that can get you out of a tough spot if you’re in a tough spot.”
- Jeff
improved mental health · community · Family reunification · Employment
Tara was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and later diagnosed with Cerebral Pasly at a young age. She entered foster care at 13 months. At age 12, she began showing signs of a thought disorder and was later diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. Tara was hospitalized more than 10 times—often due to paranoid thoughts leading to homicidal ideation—and spent time in both Metropolitan and Patton State Hospitals. She was also incarcerated multiple times for threats and assaults related to her symptoms.
In 2019, Tara was referred to Alcott’s Full-Service Partnership (FSP) through the Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR). She began working with a team including a psychiatrist, therapist, and case managers from both FSP and ODR. After stabilizing in interim housing, Tara was granted her own apartment, where she continues to live independently.
Since joining Alcott, Tara has remained out of jail and has maintained independent housing for over three years. She participates actively in her treatment, manages ongoing symptoms of paranoia and anxiety with medication, and was recently awarded SSI. With support from Alcott, Tara has built a more stable and independent life.
- Tara
Improved Mental health · new home
Before coming to Alcott, Albert didn’t keep track of doctor appointments because of his nervousness and dislike for them. He also didn’t seek rehab for his substance use challenges because he thought simply talking to someone about it was pointless. Albert’s Case Manager at Alcott worked with him and soon was able to help him find the confidence he needed.
“Being with Alcott has given me the confidence I need to get things done and changed my thinking process in a positive direction.” Not only did Albert begin attending doctor’s appointments, but he also stopped his substance use. Albert summarizes his success story and the impact Alcott’s services have had in his life: “I’m not only stopping drinking to better myself, but also for my son, and now building my family connection back. It has also helped me build a closer relationship with the man upstairs (referring to spiritual God).”
- Albert
improved mental health · new home
“Alcott has assisted me with moving into my own permanent place. Since receiving services, my life is moving in a more positive direction. I feel better about myself and not like I am worthless. Now that I have my housing, I am working on getting a job.”
Derrick was born and raised in West Los Angeles. Growing up was hard for Derrick due to his impressionable environment and he often found himself in trouble. Derrick never made it to high school as he was arrested and served four years at the Youth Authority Department. Derrick was released and vowed to do better and later had his first daughter at 21 years old. Derrick fell upon hard times trying to support his family and ended up in prison again, this time serving five years. Upon his release Derrick was enrolled at a halfway house where he stayed for 14 months and got back on the right track.
It was at this point, in his late 30’s, that Derrick got connected to Alcott. Through the support of his Case Manager, he was quickly assisted with obtaining his own permanent housing, and got connected to additional community resources. Derrick feels confident in the direction that his life is headed and has big goals for his future. Derrick plans to go back to school to obtain his degree for entrepreneurship and eventually open his own business.
- Derrick
improved mental health · New home · community
“Alcott’s given me a second chance at life…made me feel that my life does have a purpose.”
Khalil came to Alcott’s ICMS-ODR program after graduating from another ODR Interim Housing program with great reports from housing staff. During one of his first meetings with his Alcott Case Manager, he expressed how badly he wanted to get his life back together and start living on his own again. The very first thing they did together as was enroll in Project Based Housing, and pick preferences for housing locations. Throughout the process, Khalil consistently demonstrated his focus on obtaining permanent housing and actively took advantage of helpful community resources that were made available to him.
He always kept appointments, and simultaneously graduated from a substance use program he was in. He showed great initiative when the moving process started and communicated with his care team very effectively when it was time to move out. At the lease signing for his new housing, which was successfully located near his family, it was obvious how excited he was, and equally obvious how hard he worked to get there.
- Khalil
improved mental health · New home · Family reunification
- Melissa
Improved mental health · new home
- Sandra
improved mental health · new home
- Dannette
Improved mental health · new home · family reunification · community
“My favorite part of the week is attending my IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program), because I’m able to stay sober and learn about addiction. My current goals consist of successfully completing the program, going back to school, and getting housing.”
Diamond’s advice to others navigating similar journeys: “Be kind to yourself, don’t dwell on the past, and always try to move forward.”
- Diamond
Improved mental health · community
“I feel like just being with people who strive for the same goals has matured me. The conversations and groups are all focused on the same goals, and these conversations do not feel meaningless. It has all helped me communicate and talk to people better.”
Tahji’s advice for others navigating similar journeys: “Stay focused and don’t let others deter you from your goal. Have patience, and make sure you’re on top of everything your supposed to be doing.”
- Tahji
Improved mental health · community
“Most of the time I’m happy, I express myself pretty well, and I’ve learned how to control my anger since I have been here and have been doing really good. I am very friendly and always willing to give my last to anyone.” Yolanda’s current goals include “[continued] anger management, reuniting with my family, staying medication compliant, and staying on top of my health.”
Yolanda’s advice to others navigating similar journeys: “Stay medication compliant, go by the rules, cooperate with staff, get along with others and you’ll get very far if you follow these rules. And stay off drugs! Don’t fall into other people’s behaviors!”
- Yolanda
Improved mental health
Larry went to school for Hotel & Restaurant Management and had an established career as a chef. Unfortunately, after encountering a turn in life circumstances along with facing mental health challenges, he went on to experience homelessness in Los Angeles for 11 long years. That season came to a close when Larry became a resident at one of Alcott’s interim housing sites.
The first thing Larry’s case manager noticed was how much he struggled with not having spoken to his sons for over 40 years, and after some diligent effort Alcott helped Larry finally reconnect with them (on Father’s Day!). During his time as a client, Larry worked incredibly hard with his case manager, and with the help of Alcott’s supportive housing services was able to secure and move into his very own apartment upon graduating. Larry was thrilled to once again have his own kitchen and choose what to prepare, and even more excited to cook for his sons in his own place. The first thing he planned to make? Ribs, sweet potatoes, corn, and mac & cheese!
Larry shared that his time at Alcott had been transformative, and later observed that having a kitchen to cook your own food in and the ability to choose what you want to prepare feels like a tremendous privilege when you have not had either for a long while. As he headed into his 75th year of life, he was grateful to have a space to share a meal with his family.
- Larry
Improved mental health · new home · family reunification
When Kyndl came to Alcott, she was 21, unemployed, uninsured, and experiencing homelessness. A series of family and financial hardships had led to her losing her job, which, in turn, led to her eviction. Her sister in Los Angeles allowed her to stay with her for a time as she worked on improving her circumstances. Kyndl had goals of going back to school in LA and eventually moving into a place of her own but encountered barriers to obtaining necessary resources from local programs to help her get there. Unfortunately, with a lack of guidance and employment experience, she was unable to improve her situation despite applying for jobs. One day, this confluence of challenges brought the sisters’ relationship to a breaking point, leaving Kyndl without a place to call home.
A 911 call was diverted to UMCR, which led to Alcott first meeting Kyndyl. Alcott’s UMCR team responded to the call where they de-escalated the situation and worked with Kyndyl to find a solution that would be most beneficial. Despite being nervous and scared of staying in a shelter for the first time in her life, Kyndyl agreed to be transferred into a temporary shelter that same day. One week later, Kyndyl was transferred to a youth shelter that could best support her needs and help guide her toward wellness.
Alcott met Kyndyl with understanding and expertise, acting as a bridge to connect Kyndyl to the structure of resources she needed to get back on her feet. Kyndyl is now connected to mental health resources, employment support, transportation, and has even submitted her own housing voucher application. With a support system and access to resources to help her move forward, her whole outlook has shifted, and her dreams feel as though they are once again within reach.