anthony’s next chapter

When Anthony arrived at Mary’s Place with his family, he was carrying more than the uncertainty of experiencing homelessness.

For much of his young adult life, Anthony had experienced housing instability without a strong support system to fall back on. He had been forced to grow up quickly, learning how to get through each day largely on his own. Along the way, he made mistakes, faced setbacks, and often questioned whether he was capable of building the life he wanted for himself and his family.

But over the past several months, something has changed.

“When I think about how much I’ve progressed, it’s amazing,” Anthony said. “Six months ago, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do what I’m doing now. Today, I feel confident. A lot of my self-doubt has gone away.”

While at Mary’s Place, Anthony enrolled in FareStart’s Food Pathways Program, where he began building skills for a career in the food service industry while continuing to navigate shelter and his responsibilities as a dad.

At first, he wasn’t sure what to expect.

“When I first came to FareStart, I went in blind,” he said. “I didn’t really know what to expect or how things were going to go. Now, I see how many opportunities are available to me.”

Through the program, Anthony has had opportunities to learn from experienced chefs and put his skills to work in professional settings. One experience in particular stuck with him.

“Getting the chance to work alongside five-star chefs really showed me the amount of trust they had in us, and in me,” Anthony said. “And we killed it!”

But what Anthony has taken from FareStart extends far beyond the kitchen.

He says the program has taught him how to advocate for himself and speak confidently about his strengths and accomplishments. And soon, he’ll have another accomplishment to celebrate: next month, Anthony will graduate from FareStart’s Food Pathways Program.

He’s also looking ahead to a new opportunity with Safeway and thinking about what comes next for his family.

“I have so much gratitude for what I have accomplished instead of focusing on what I haven’t done,” he said. “I’m focusing on the positive, the plan I’m creating for myself and my family, and the goals I want to accomplish.”

That change in perspective has also changed how Anthony sees the role he can play for others. Having experienced homelessness himself, he wants people facing similar circumstances to know that opportunities and support are available.

“I feel like I can be an inspiration to others,” he said. “When I meet people on the street, I can encourage them and tell them about the positive opportunities that are out there. It feels good to be a voice for FareStart and to share what this experience has done for me.”

For Anthony, having people in his corner has made a profound difference.

“I know what it feels like to truly have support now, from Mary’s Place and from my team at FareStart,” he said. “I’ve accomplished more in these past few months than I feel like I have in my whole life.”

His next priority is finding a home for his family. Anthony is working with the Mary’s Place housing team to identify his housing goals and the steps that can help him reach them. With a plan in place and a stronger sense of what he is capable of, he feels confident that permanent housing is within reach.

For someone who once struggled to see his own potential, that belief may be one of the most meaningful changes of all.

“I feel like a leader,” Anthony said. “I’m proud of myself. And most importantly, I rediscovered my worth.”

Congratulations, Anthony!

Anthony’s graduation also comes at an exciting time as Mary’s Place begins a new partnership with FareStart to open more doors to opportunity for families. Through a separate four-course Customer Service & Job Readiness training program, FareStart will bring career training directly to Mary’s Place, making it easier for families to build skills, prepare for employment, and pursue new opportunities.

We’re excited to work alongside FareStart to help more families access the tools and support they need as they work toward their goals and greater stability.