‘As a mom, you want the best for your children’

“Then Monday rolled around, and I talked to a case manager who took me to get a state ID, birth certificate and social security card. I got everything in two days,” said Trevell, adding that another Saint Leonard’s resident let him borrow a car to take the test for his driver’s license.

Trevell, who is 53-years-old, immediately appreciated the service model.

“I liked the structure. No one likes to be on curfew, but that curfew taught me not to be on the streets. Because there is nothing out there but riff-raff,” Trevell said. “And everybody was being nice to me. Then I find out that a lot of people know my mom.”

Indeed, Gloria is well-known on campus where she not only lives but also works in the cafeteria that provides three meals a day to residents and staff.

Gloria joined the Saint Leonard’s community in 2019 as a participant in the Road to Success job-readiness program. It’s a two-week course that meets every weekday to provide classes on job-interview techniques, workplace behavior and how to cope before, during and after receiving an offer of employment.

Participants graduate with a resume and are ready to apply for available positions, or they can continue into other campus programming. Employment-placement sectors have included hospitality, healthcare, logistics, sports/entertainment venues, transportation and more.

This summer, Gloria faced a challenge when an addiction led to 67 days of incarceration. She was released in July and moved into Grace House.

“The people here treat you like you’re human. Like you’re a person,” she said. “When you get that in your life, it just changes you. You ain’t out there for people trying to use you for this and that. That’s not here. They just want you to get your life together and move on in your journey. And do what you’re doing here – do the best.”

In November, Gloria served as a speaker at the Road to Success graduation. She told the graduating class about the “love and understanding” she received at Saint Leonard’s.

“That makes you push yourself to get that success. This world can be cruel, but if you got somebody behind you, if you take that and it makes you strive to be better, you are going to be alright,” she said.

As she looked at the graduates, there was Trevell, waiting for his name to be called. He followed his mother’s footsteps to become a Road to Success graduate.

“That right there was emotional,” Trevell said. “I started crying. I was like ‘Man, I’m making it.’ When my mom was speaking, I got emotional because I know what she’s been through. I had my fair share of trials and tribulations. But when I went to Saint Leonard’s, now I’m making it.”

“Not one time have I sold drugs. Not one time have I picked up a weapon. Not one time have I wanted to cause harm. As a plus of being here, there’s a guy named John. He’s like my therapist. And I get to talk to John about anything that’s troubling me. So I can actually approach a staff member and tell them what is wrong with me, and they don’t pass judgment.”

“The best thing about being here is the people who work here, they’ve been where I’ve been. They were given a second chance or third chance or fourth chance. I talk to them, and they know how I feel. That’s what I love most about this place,” Trevell said.

Along with Road to Success, Trevell has participated in more on-campus programs.

“I’ve been coming in and out of prison since 1994. I’m 53-years-old, and I’ve never ever heard about Saint Leonard’s until this year,” Trevell said. “I had a family member say ‘They help you find housing.’ I said, ‘What!!??’”

On the day we talked to him for this story, Trevell had two job interviews lined up.

“All of this is because of Saint Leonard’s. I’m being productive in life for the first time. My kids are happy about me. My girlfriend loves this place. And I see the change in my mom. She’s starting to smile more. So I started using my mom as my motivation. If she can do it, why can’t I do it? She’s got a pep in her step.”

And Gloria likes what she hears around campus about her son.

“Everybody has good things to say about him, and it makes me proud,” she said.

“The ladies and the gentlemen at Saint Leonard’s need to give themselves a chance, try these programs and do what you gotta do. And you’re going to have a road to success. You just gotta give yourself a chance.”