The Neighborhood Brigade gave Daniel a path back to stability

By Giselle Rojas Guzman

After Daniel Gambon had to survive on the street, getting connected to St.Vincent de Paul and its Neighborhood Brigade helped him create a new foundation, get into the rhythms of everyday living, and is already working towards finding his new permanent home.

When Daniel unexpectedly lost his job, he couldn’t find another quickly enough and he fell behind on monthly rent payments. He couldn't even afford groceries. After constantly searching and finding nothing for weeks, he found himself moving into his crammed car and later onto the streets.

He began to spray paint addresses on curbs for a little income, but it was not enough to live or get him and his partner off the streets. In the past, Daniel had struggled with and overcome addiction. Despite the difficulty of the situation, Daniel was determined to avoid past behaviors with drug use.

“That lifestyle is done, so I had to find another way that was responsible,” he said.

While surviving on the street, Daniel met two police officers who gave him information about a local shelter. He was welcomed in with open arms, and that’s how he was first connected to St.Vincent de Paul (SVdP).

Daniel’s first two connections were his two case managers: Kenyon and Andrew.

They guided Daniel with encouragement and dignity through the barriers of finding employment and stability. He describes them as “responsible, kind and knowledgeable," and they treated him with care and made him feel protected during moments of uncertainty.

Andrew focused Daniel on career development and finding new job opportunities. Andrew would sit him down, create a resume, and refocus his end goals to find employment again.

Motivated by the support of his case workers, he quickly joined the Neighborhood Brigade.

The Neighborhood Brigade is a program that hosts weekly neighborhood clean ups, all to preserve community spaces and serve neighbors in need.

Daniel was tasked with removing trash and drug paraphernalia and cutting down weeds. Daniel called it a “gateway to coming back to the world” because of the structure and routine it provides for him.

The Brigade also keeps him rooted in community. During one of his neighborhood cleanups he connected with the home owners over their shared faith, and he ended up building a cross for their yard.

“It was 10 feet tall, about six feet wide, and it was beautiful," he said.

Daniel has always highlighted the importance of faith and community through serving others. His determination pushed him to apply for jobs and feel ready to start a new journey.

Daniel's hard work and SVdP's support has paid off.

He recently accepted an offer to be an apprentice mechanic and is thrilled to have a second chance at a stable future. He is already looking into moving to permanent housing with his partner.

“The Neighborhood Brigade gave me the confidence and the strength and the tools that I need to be successful on my own,” he said. “I'm glad to be a part of the Brigade. It helped... I've become a better person because of it.”