Finding Hope at the Housing Resource Center
- Christine Grant
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
Moving to Richmond didn't turn out as Laver expected.
After a bad breakup in 2023, he traveled to Richmond, seeking a fresh start. Unable to find work, he relied on food from local churches and resorted to sleeping in a storage unit at night.
During the day, he was looking for a safe place to stay, and that’s when he found CCC’s Housing Resource Center.
The Housing Resource Center provides a place to sit inside, get water or basic items, charge phones, or get information on local resources.
“You don't have to be sleeping outside to come in, because our lobby is open to everyone,” says Michael Lynn, Homeless Outreach Specialist. “But if you do come in, and you are interested in services, you're in the right place. We have on-call hours for you to meet with an outreach worker, get you oriented, and help you find somewhere to start."
“I was skeptical,” said Laver, “but I needed somewhere to figure things out.”
Keeping mostly to himself, Laver continued his job search. As time went on, he watched what was happening around him at the center.
“I began to realize that if they could help that person with what they are going through, then surely they could also help me.” Laver said.
He soon began meeting with Lynn.
"From the start, Laver made a strong effort to be independent, taking on a lot of responsibility in his own housing plan,” Lynn said. “It's been really exemplary of how we don't just serve clients, but we come together to partner with them and help them achieve their housing goals.”
Together, they developed a plan. Lynn helped Laver get into a shelter, and before long, Laver landed a job. With a steady income, Laver began saving toward a permanent place of his own.
While waiting for housing applications to be approved, Laver's time at the shelter expired. To continue staying off the streets, he had to pay for hotel rooms by dipping into the money he had worked so hard to save. By the time he had finally been approved for a unit, he was short several hundred dollars and had to return to sleeping in his storage unit to keep saving.
“I reached out to [Lynn],” Laver said. “He got me the help I needed to move in. Without that, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”
Now, with a roof over his head, Laver is rebuilding. He’s focused on saving, restoring his financial stability, and working toward opening a digital art studio. Just one month since moving into his new place, Laver has already found ways to give back and now volunteers at the same churches that once fed him.
“Anyone who showed me support, I want to help,” Laver says.
To CCC supporters, he offers his heartfelt thanks.
“I really do appreciate the people who give to CCC. For people who need the help, it’s a big help. Now that I understand what it’s like to be homeless, I have a different understanding of humanity. I can understand why a preacher might want to go sleep next to someone on the street. They aren’t looking at the situation, they are looking at the person.”