CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES Over the last 35 years, Union Station has helped thousands of men, women and families leave the streets and begin leading productive, self-sufficient lives. The down-and-out panhandler you once passed on your way to work may now be one of your co-workers. Or the mechanic who repaired your car last month. Or your waiter at last night’s dinner. Union Station “alumni” are all around us; they are our friends and neighbors who were lucky enough to get a second chance. Every day at Union Station we encounter those who have never known anything but economic difficulty. Many who come to us were born into poverty and have endured an entire lifetime of economic hardship. Others were forced onto the streets as a result of job-loss, domestic violence, or the severe shortage of affordable housing. Everyone who comes to Union Station for help has led a different path, filled with unique circumstances that have led them to become homeless. These are some of their stories: Phyllis's Story When Phyllis first came to Union Station, she had been living on the streets in chronic homelessness for 30 years. She had a number of severe mental and physical issues that had never been addressed, including schizophrenia with hallucinations. Like many homeless individuals with untreated mental illness, Phyllis had been self-medicating with drugs and alcohol for years. Luckily for Phyllis, there came a day when she was ready to turn her life around, and she walked through our doors at Passageways... read more Yasuko, A Tragic New Face of Homelessness Yasuko may be a tiny woman, but in her 79 years she has packed a punch and achieved the success and admiration most only dream of. Born in Japan in 1932, she came to the United States in the 1960's, completed a math degree at Cal State LA, and became a respected and successful business woman in Pasadena. Yasuko's Bra & Lingerie Salon thrived for more than decades, and was frequented by debutantes and brides-to-be looking for the perfect undergarments. But last year every bit of the dream she has worked so hard for was gone... read more Mother's Day is just around the corner. While it should be a time to celebrate, more and more mothers and their children fall victim to poverty and homelessness. In fact, they are now the fastest growing segment of our homeless population here in the San Gabriel Valley. Rose and her family are just one of our many examples at Union Station Homeless Services... read more John Danesh is a big man with a big smile and a bigger heart. His presence is woven into the fabric and feeling of community at Centennial Place, where he has lived since 2003. He'll tell you he's a changed man, and he's referring to years of stops and starts, failures and victories... read more David is tall, trim, well-groomed, and handsome. He has been part of our Union Station family for some time now. He first came to live at our Adult Center about five years ago. By his own admission, he was broken down, alone, desperate, dirty and beaten up by life on the streets... read more Nadine The most traumatic event in Nadine's life has been becoming homeless. She had an apartment and full-time work as an In-home Caregiver. But as her hours were cut back, she just couldn't make ends meet and soon she could no longer pay the rent for herself and her teenage twins... read more Kalani's life has been a thrill ride of highs and lows. As a child, he was removed from his home by Child Protective Services due to his parents' drug and alcohol abuse.... read more Charles is loyal to his friends and family, responsible and consistent as an employee, handsome and naturally athletic, a devoted and loving father. Charles is also homeless.... read more Carlos is an ambitious, talented teenager who loves basketball and acting. He began performing as a child in his home town of South Carolina... read more Sarah's husband left her, Megan lost her home, and Jenny fled an abusive relationship... read more Patty is a hard-working single mother of four children, ranging in age from four to 15 years... read more Brady and his younger brother, Jason, never knew their father. They were both very close to their mother, who died when Brady was 11... read more Most of Joanne’s early life consisted of bad breaks and bad choices... read more Last October, Michelle and her two daughters were on the run from an abusive spouse and father... read more Frank grew up never knowing his parents, bouncing from one foster home to another... read more When Marilyn arrived at Union Station, she was clutching two shopping bags that held all her worldly possessions... read more Jerry’s mother was a heroin addict. Their neighbors were gangsters... read more * All names have been changed to protect the anonymity of our alumni. *