What Would You Say to Your Younger Self?
“I would apologize to my younger self and say that I’m so sorry for doing all these things to you.”
It’s been 12 years since Mike struggled with substance use. He grew up in Mayor Wright Housing and eventually got involved with drugs. After serving time in prison, he returned to find his family gone. He tried staying in a boarding home, but felt unsafe. So he chose to live on the streets, trying to survive on his own.
Today, Mike lives in a kauhale where he feels something he hasn’t felt in years.
“I feel more safe. I feel loved here."
"I feel I have hope. I can live now. Because of these people, bringing these things together and building all these things for people like us. Thank you very much everybody for helping me.”
Mike’s home is at Alana Ola Pono Kauhale, developed by HomeAid Hawai‘i in partnership with the State of Hawai‘i, and operated and managed by The Institute for Human Services. Together, they are creating spaces where healing is possible and hope can return.
