Resident Stories
The story of NewLife Homes is best told through the voices of our residents. Their stories and pictures are on the following pages.
Sandra Griffin
Hello, my name is Sandra Griffin and I have lived at NLH 3, apartment 19 for the past 3 years. It has been a very big help for me. I was homeless for about 2 years. I had to be hospitalized 3 different times at the UNM Mental Health Center. Then I obtained disability assistance. Before I moved here I was living on just $740 dollars a month and paying $450 monthly for rent in a poor apartment. Since living here I have been stable and on my meds. I love living in New Life Homes for it has helped me a lot.
Larry Robert Semark
Hi, my name is Larry Robert Semark and I live in NewLife Homes 2, apartment six. For most of my life, I have struggled with relentless emotional agony and unhappiness. In first grade I became alienated from classmates since most students failed to understand my withdrawn personality and mood swings. I felt different than the other children and out of place in their environment. During my childhood Tippy Dog came into my personal world, and became my lifelong friend and companion.
Throughout my adolescent stage, I experienced frequent periods of schizophrenia, clinical depression, social phobia, and panic attacks. As a result, my life as a teen was very trying. I would not have made it without my invisible friend Tippy. Around the age of 13 I frequently thought about suicide. During my late teens I nearly succeeded in taking my life several times. At the age of 18, my community counselor made arrangements with staff people at a state hospital to admit me. She said that I would be evaluated for ten days and then be released, but unfortunately I remained an in-and-outpatient at the hospital until my release at age 21 (almost 22). Just before my release, a psychiatrist told my dad and me that I would probably be back and remain an in-and-outpatient for the rest of my life.
At the age of 22 (almost 23), I decided to go to college and learn all that I could about emotional and physical wellness so that I could better understand myself and possibly in the future, help other people who suffer from emotional challenges. It was tough in college, and some professors demanded that I continue psychotherapy while attending school. With the help of my college psychiatrists, exercise, good nutrition, understanding professors, and meds, I obtained a bachelor, master's and PhD.
Unfortunately, I have been unable to hold on to jobs, and hardly find any due to my history of emotional suffering. As a result, my counselor at UNM obtained SSI for me and my case manager moved me into The New Life Homes housing project for the emotionally challenged and people with special needs. I would be homeless and without hope if not for the NewLife Homes Organization.
Jay Johnson
My name is Jay Johnson. I live at New Life Homes 2 and my apartment is number 7. When a child, I experienced a traumatic brain injury. At the age of 18 I became legally blind. I also suffer from depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I have been unable to hold on to jobs because of my physical and emotional disabilities. As a result, I have lived with my parents most of my life. Five years ago my case manager entered me into the New Life Homes Apartments. I really like my apartment and really appreciate John Bloomfield's assistance and his understanding of my needs over the last five years. This is a nice place to live and my apartment is close to stores, banks, bus stations, and the Alamosa Community Center. New Life Homes has given me a new lease on life.
Tina Taber
Hello, I'm Tina Taber and I live at New Life Homes 2, apartment 1. I suffer from Acrophobia, major depression, COPA, and PTSD. I have lived in Albuquerque since 1985. In 1995, I divorced and retained the house. However, I was unable to keep up with the house payments and lost my home to foreclosure eight years later. Then I lived with my son for awhile until my case worker assisted me obtaining an apartment in New Life Homes in 2008.
I am very thankful for living in New Life Homes and feel very comfortable here. If not for New Life Homes, I would be homeless. I cannot say it enough, I am very glad to live here!
Brenda J. Bolton
Hi, I'm Brenda J. Bolton of NHL3, apartment 23, would like to give my appreciation to New Life Homes for allowing me to live here. I moved in July 25, 2008. My apartment is a nice and safe.
I was staying with a friend named Linda before moving here. She allowed me to move in with her and her family because I was living in my car. Sadly, after 8 years she asked me to move out so my case manager helped me move into New Life Homes.
I was born with brain aneurysms. I developed cancer at age 22 and had a hysterectomy. I have had 72 surgeries, 18 of them on my brain. After one brain surgery in 1991, my doctor told me that I only had six months to one year to live.
However, I kept hope alive and am entering my 19th year of survival. I also have serious back problems and am blind in my left eye and half blind in the left eye. I am 51 and will never give up hope. My case worker, Gloria, does my house cleaning, shopping, and medicine acquisition. I am very thankful for the help and hope that New Life Homes have given to me. If anyone has any questions about the wonderful New Life Homes, please call me at 505-839-2547. God Bless New Life Homes.
Paul Fredrickson
For the past three years, I have been the Service Coordinator at New Life Homes 2, 3, 5, and 6. I came with a varied background that is relevant for this position. I have always worked to provide service to people in numerous capacities through work and volunteer activities. I am basically an Ombudsman for the residents. I assist them with, health, money (work), food, personal (including activities of daily living, medical & psychological), and other living issues. My residents well being is very important to me and I will keep helping them in any way possible. I enjoy helping people and feel I have made and will continue to make a difference.
Apryl Davis
My name is Apryl Davis and I have been a resident at New Life Homes 2, apartment 14, since August, 2008. I suffer from some mental illnesses that include depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, post traumatic stress syndrome, and a touch of bi-polar. I also experience chronic back and neck pain resulting in frequent head aches and limitations in my living. I have been raped in the past and held hostage. Last year I suffered from a stroke.
I was referred to NewLife Homes by Deitra Wilkins Founder of Footprints Ministry. Since being accepted as a New Life Home resident, I no longer face homelessness nor unsafe environments as I did in the past. I am a student at CNM. The computers in the NLH Community Center and having my own apartment to study have resulted in me obtaining a B average at CNM.
I would like to thank John Bloomfield for starting this wonderful housing program for people with emotional and physical challenges. I now feel safe and know that for the first time in many years, people at New Life Homes care about me.
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson spent most of his life living on the streets and without hope. He was abused during his childhood and never received the opportunity to learn how to read or write. Being homeless took a toll on his life. As a result, he experienced heart problems and diabetes. Moreover, he became emotionally challenged. Several years ago, a social worker obtained housing for him at New Life Homes, the Broadway Apartments branch, in Albuquerque. He loves his apartment and claims that this is the first real home in which he has ever lived. The manager, Kat Owensby, and maintenance person, Mark Owensby, have been a blessing to Robert. They and several other residents assist Robert in enhancing his physical and emotional status. Robert enjoys working with other residents in the garden and flowerbeds at this apartment complex. For the rest of his life, he wants to live in New Life Homes.
William Romero
William and June Romero live at New Life Homes Five. William feels very blessed to live at New Life Homes. The nice neighborhood and quiet community are really important to him. Moreover, he likes the compassion and support NewLife Homes provides for all residents. He is physically and emotional disabled.
June Romero
June Romero experiences arthritis and depression. She loves living at New Life Homes and maintains that the apartments are bright, sunny, and affordable. Before she and William moved into New Life Homes, it became very difficult for them to find decent housing because many apartment owners exhibited little compassion for people with physical and emotional challenges. Moreover, rent prices were excessively high for people on fixed incomes. June firmly believes that New Life Homes empowers people with physical and emotional impairments.
