Justin is a tall, soft-spoken 20-year-old from Detroit, where he became homeless in late 2025. After couch-surfing and living outside, he came to Chicago to stay with his sister, but when her landlord discovered he wasn’t on the lease, Justin was asked to leave, rendering him homeless again in an unfamiliar city.

Through an online search, Justin connected with The Night Ministry and secured a spot at West Town, the organization’s interim housing program for youth and young adults aged 14-21. With the support of Norma Nance, TNM’s Interim Program Specialist, and Corey Hogan, his Case Manager, Justin found space to regroup. In October 2025, he transitioned to the Pathways Program, moving into a shared apartment (with a roommate) on Chicago’s South Side, and by January 2026 he had secured a job working in the kitchen at Panera Bread on the North Side — a single ride away on the Red Line.

Justin is one of 569 youth The Night Ministry served last year through its youth housing programs and services. A key component of the continuum is the Pathways Program, which offers young adults experiencing homelessness up to two years of supportive housing and life skills coaching as they work towards a better future.

He credits The Night Ministry for giving him something not often found in the shelter system: grace and room to breathe. “It’s a place where you can think freely, where you’re allowed to be sad, and you’re given the time to make your own change.” He advises others in his situation not to run from those feelings, but to have patience with themselves.
For the first time, Justin feels he can think about his future, applying to study psychology or philosophy, saving money for tuition, and one day traveling abroad. Tokyo is on the list. He stays grounded through nature, the gym, and video games, but it’s the possibility of what lies ahead that drives him most.

“Being homeless can make you feel the worst, but it is possible to work on making things better for yourself — the only way you can go is up.”