Vincent's Story
Vincent with son Ryan after moving into their apartment on April 1, 2020
Vincent Evora Grew up in North Hollywood, California with what he called a “group background” family. They would often gather under the heat of the southern California sun, cook communally, eat heartily, and relish in each other’s company. When Vincent entered his early teens, however, his views of family, his imaginations of growing up, and his dreams of a rewarding personal life deviated from everything he’d known prior.
“My mom had a boyfriend who changed the locks on me when I was 13 years old,” he said. His extended family was sometimes there for him, but he mostly had to depend on friends – often jumping house to house to avoid the desperate home situation or possible confrontation with his mother’s boyfriend.
Vincent didn’t attend school. Instead, he adapted to his circumstance and learned what was expected of life on the street. He started drinking heavily and doing things that he figured were going to get him in trouble and eventually landed him in jail.
“I was constantly wishing I could go back home.”
Vincent said it was scary being on the streets, not knowing what was going to happen, not having the security of a home, and not having anyone to look up to as he struggled through his early teens. “I was constantly wishing I could go back home,” he said.
Although, he remembers prison as a cruel, harsh environment – one he wouldn’t recommend – Vincent recounts his experience in juvenile hall as one of the first times after experiencing homelessness that he found stable housing.
“I had a bed. I was clean. I was fed,” he said. “I spent half of my life in and out of prison and I didn’t stop serving time until my 30s,” he said.
Vincent knew that the constant rotation in and out of the justice system wasn’t how he wanted to spend the rest of his life. He had hope for his future and a new child to take care of, so he decided it was time to make a change.
“I walked myself into an in-house program and after two months, I walked myself out,” he said. “I started going to parenting classes. I started going to AA meetings. I just told myself, ‘it’s time for me to take a good look at myself and act like a grown-up and do the right thing.’”
Vincent is happy to report not only that he’s been clean and sober for four years, but also that his outlook on life has changed for the better.
“I know that if I go back to my lifestyle, I lose hope and everything I’ve made for myself. I got my son back in my life. I applied myself, I did everything possible to get him back in my life and finally got an apartment,” he said.
I’m a little bit scared sometimes. I was worried how I was going make it once the help goes away,” he said. “I have to tell myself, ‘don’t think like that, you’re going to be okay and get yourself on your feet’.”
Vincent’s experience with homelessness taught him humility and to appreciate the little things in life that some take for granted. It taught him the importance of helping those in need and to do things out of the kindness of your heart.
“I learned to always hope for something better and to hold on to the little things,” he said. “Health is the most important thing that I can hold onto. It doesn’t matter if I have a lot of things in my life – money, a house, a home – it’s important to be thankful for what you do have.”
Vincent said he wouldn’t be the person he is or have the stability he holds today without help. He said that the experience is something he’ll never forget.
“I’m really grateful for the people at LA Family Housing. Sometimes, it might feel like they’re not there for you, but they are, and they know what you’re going through,” he said. “If it wasn’t for LAFH helping me and giving me a place to be I don’t know where I would be.”
For more than 30 years, LA Family Housing has been a leader in the region as a link to health-centric resources, interim housing, and supportive services like meals, education, and employment. If you are an individual or family experiencing homelessness, please email referrals@lafh.org or call 818.255.2766.
LA Family Housing’s Family Solution Center, located at 7817 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, is open from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. LA Family Housing’s Individual Solutions Center, located at 7843 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood is open from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. I
If you are a youth, aged 14-24, Visit the Village Family Services TAY Drop-in Center, located at 6801 Coldwater Canyon, Ste. #1E, North Hollywood, CA 91605, Open (M-Fr) from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. & (Sat) 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. or call 818.755.8786.
***Please note that drop-in does not guarantee services. We will do our best to meet the needs of everyone who walks in.***