Gateway: Rita’s Story

Purpose

Life in New York enjoying a career as a successful receptionist quickly upended. Unexpected circumstances left Rita without a home and her health soon declined. 

“I lost my job and subsequently my apartment because I couldn’t pay rent. I became homeless. I had lost everything and needed a new start … I was depressed. I was not doing anything and had no purpose.” A core symptom of depression is lacking motivation with little to no energy, often causing a person to feel lethargic. Like 20% of Americans, Rita was experiencing symptoms related to a mental health condition.  

Alone and unemployed, Rita decided to leave New York and move to South Carolina to live with her parents. Rita’s mental health symptoms worsened, and she was admitted for inpatient psychiatric care more than once. While hospitalized, she learned about Gateway - a Clubhouse Model rehabilitation program for adults living with persistent or severe mental illness. Rita toured Gateway once she was discharged from the hospital, and she immediately felt welcome. Rita heard incredible stories of hope from other members, and she knew Gateway was exactly what she needed to find herself again.   

At Gateway, people are not patients or clients; rather, these individuals are members, meaning they are valued for their worth and involved in the success of the program. At Gateway, Rita assisted at the Clubhouse, giving her a reason to get up every morning and helping her build supportive relationships.  

“Being a member of Gateway has given me stability, hope, a real chance to get better, and a chance to get my mind off my troubles and to discover possibilities for my life.”

This experience has created healing for Rita. She has not returned to the hospital because of mental health symptoms or concerns since finding Gateway. 

“My parents are so very thankful for Gateway and have seen the many ways it has not only changed my life but saved my life. I have a purpose and friends. I am using my talents and discovering new ones. And, I now have an apartment of my own! And more than that, I have hope for the future.”

The Greenville Homeless Alliance (GHA) works tirelessly to find partners in Greenville that can provide safe housing for people and families experiencing homelessness. While Gateway is not a housing assistance program, having a safe, stable place to live is just one step toward independence. Acknowledging this fact, their Clubhouse helps members obtain affordable housing in the community as a part of their recovery process. Gateway maintains four complexes, where apartments are safe, decent, and affordable. Each complex is centrally located to the Clubhouse and accessible to public transportation and each has its own sense of community.