My St. Vincent de Paul Success Story
Twenty-two months ago, I was homeless, living on the streets, using drugs, running from the law, and slowly killing myself. I was avoiding responsibility and had lost my stability, independence, confidence, and direction in life.
Today, my life looks completely different.
Since receiving housing through St. Vincent de Paul in December 2025, I have had something I desperately needed in order to rebuild my life: a safe and stable foundation.
Having a place to call home has allowed me to focus on my recovery instead of constantly worrying about where I was going to sleep or how I was going to find housing in Juneau. Stable housing has dramatically lowered my stress and given me the stability I needed to become healthy, responsible, and independent again.
During this time, I have remained sober, secured employment, started my own business, and continued successfully meeting the requirements of Juneau Therapeutic Court and state probation. Having stable housing has directly supported my ability to stay accountable and in compliance. It has also played an important role in helping me maintain something I once took for granted—my freedom.
But the changes have gone much deeper than employment or legal compliance.
Recovery has taught me how to rebuild my relationship with myself. I am regaining my confidence and self-respect, learning how to handle adult responsibilities instead of running from them, and becoming more independent. As I have changed, my relationships with the people around me have also become healthier.
St. Vincent de Paul did not simply give me a roof over my head. They gave me an opportunity. Stable housing gave me the breathing room to take responsibility for my life and do the hard work necessary to change it.
I know that my recovery and success ultimately depend on the choices I make every day. But I also know how difficult those choices can be when you don’t know where you are going to sleep at night. Stable housing gave me the foundation I needed to turn those choices into a new way of
life.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity St. Vincent de Paul has given me. Twenty-two months ago, I was homeless, addicted, running from the law, and destroying my life. Today, I am sober, housed, working, running my own business, rebuilding my relationships, fulfilling my responsibilities, and moving forward with hope for my future.
St. Vincent de Paul gave me a place to live while I learned how to build a life worth living.
For that, I will always be grateful.
— Derrick Shane Esguerra