Hope And Life Outreach helps local man secure housing

SALISBURY, Md. – A comfortable place to call your own can feel out of reach for people experiencing homelessness. But for one local man, it was a dream turned reality, with help from HALO.

John Bell said he’s living in his answered prayers after a decision he made nearly 4 years ago. In 2022, after years of experiencing homelessness, he walked through the doors at HALO in Salisbury. That’s when he met Celeste Savage.

“We begin to work on the changing of the mindset,” said Savage.

Celeste helped Bell change his mindset, by helping him complete their Journey Of Life program.

“We go through an assessment process and then they get to come on in and in that program, there’s three major steps, and the fourth step is some little pieces I’ve put together, and they get to graduate,” said Savage.

And his graduation gift to himself? The gift of stability. Bell used the skills that he learned in the program to find and secure an apartment that he recently moved into and even landed a job at HALO.

“I don’t know, it like replenishing your mind and your thinking,” said Bell. “Once you get through the first couple stages, there’s four stages, it was amazing; it was a blessing.”

While the journey was long, and at times, rough, he said it landed him right where he’s supposed to be.

“I’m much more relaxed, you know. I don’t have that little thing on my shoulder. I’m just going with the flow, I’m still studying, I still read the devotions, it keeps my mind steadier, and I try to stay happier and joyful,” said Bell.