“I have such great support at Rosati Apartments… the employees here are awesome.”

David’s hard partying ways and mental illness led him to a path of chronic homelessness. As a teenager with an addiction to marijuana and a diagnosis of bi-polar and paranoid schizophrenia, he struggled to get himself on the right track. Despite graduating from high school, David landed in drug court and spent some time in a psych ward. Before long, he found himself homeless.

“I was homeless by choice,” says David. “I didn’t want to stop smoking weed and I couldn’t afford medication for my condition. No one understood what I was going through.” Finally, he found his way to a homeless shelter that referred him to St. Patrick Center. Soon, David was able to get into Rosati Group Home, SPC’s supportive housing program that assists individuals who are experiencing homelessness and persistent mental illness. At the group home, he was able to focus on staying clean and maintaining his mental health through proper medication.

From Rosati Group Home, David decided to pursue other programs offered by St. Patrick Center. He was an active member in the Shamrock Club Day Treatment program and completed the JET program, one of SPC’s most intensive employment and training programs.

When St. Patrick Center opened Rosati Apartments in 2008, David was able to move into the new, semi-independent permanent, supportive housing complex. Now 30 years-old, he is happy with his life and proud of how far he’s come. David plays drums, guitar and piano and his relationship with his family is better than ever. “They finally understand!” he says.