At Magdala House, we believe that everyone deserves a chance—not just to survive but to rebuild, reclaim their life, and discover who they were always meant to be. For Chase, that chance began at Tiny Homes.
When Chase returned to Tiny Homes earlier this year for our “Speak Your Mind” Open Mic event, he wasn’t there as a tenant. He came back as a testimony. As someone who made it through. Someone who knows where he’s been—and isn’t afraid to tell others they can get there too.
Chase took the stage and performed “I Know Where I’ve Been,” a song that carried every ounce of his truth. With emotion in his voice and strength in his spirit, he shared his journey—from sleeping on sidewalks to finally receiving the keys to his very own apartment, which he proudly pulled out of his pocket and held up for the room to see.
“I’ve been in my apartment since October,” he said. “If you stick with your case manager and do what you’re supposed to do, you can have this too.”
But Chase didn’t sugarcoat his journey. He shared that life had thrown him more than just challenges—it handed him heartbreak. Rejected by family because of his identity as a gay man, he spent six years traveling across the country, living out of bags and searching for affordable housing. He even chronicled parts of that journey on a YouTube channel he once called The Gay Nomad.
There were nights when he felt invisible. Days when hope seemed like a distant fantasy. “I thought about ending it,” he admitted, “because I didn’t have anyone.” His voice cracked, but he stood tall. “But then I found Tiny Homes.”
Chase found more than shelter at Magdala. He found support, dignity, and people who truly saw him—especially Hailey, his occupational therapist. He credits her and his case manager with helping him stand on his own again. “When life gets hard, remember me,” he told the room, which erupted in applause. “If I can do it, so can you.”
He ended with a message of encouragement: “Follow the rules. Build those relationships. Take full advantage of everything this place has to offer. You’ll be grand. You’ll be golden.”
Chase’s story is a reminder of what’s possible when compassion meets opportunity. At Magdala, we don’t just provide shelter—we offer new beginnings, renewed faith, and a pathway toward home.
From Homelessness to Hope: Be Part of the Journey
Chase’s story is proof that with the right support, healing and home are possible. At Magdala House, we don’t just provide shelter—we create spaces where people are seen, supported, and empowered to reclaim their lives.
Your gift helps us walk with more people like Chase—from surviving to thriving.
