Impact Stories Client Success Story Update: Johnathan Gilmore

Johnathan had a tough childhood.

At age 15, his mother was killed in a car accident, 2 days before Christmas.

After his older sister took him in, Johnathan had behavioral problems in school that led to him dropping out in the 10th grade and enrolling in Job Corps.

While in Job Corps, Johnathan learned vocational and custodial skills, but he began using heroin and became a functional addict. His addiction led to him being part of an armed robbery, for which he served 6 years in jail.

While in prison, Johnathan gained more custodial experience and completed certifications in Building Super and Building and Custodial Maintenance.

Upon his release, he got married and had children. Unfortunately, his heroin addiction resurfaced and eventually led to his divorce.

After his divorce, Johnathan couch-surfed with friends and family and slept in shelters for 6 years while frequenting methadone clinics to manage his heroin addiction.

Johnathan got involved with advocacy while in the shelter system which allowed him to become a client representative with Volunteers of America. That opportunity, and Johnathan’s need for housing, led to him being referred to Urban Pathways.

In 2015, Johnathan was one of the first clients to be placed at Urban Pathways’ newly renovated Cluster House on the Upper West Side.

In 2016, he joined the UPwards Employment Program, graduated, and has been working in maintenance at Urban Pathways for over 2 years.

This summer, Johnathan was part of the Moving On Initiative which allowed him to move from Cluster House to his own apartment.

Johnathan is doing great, settling in and continuing to work as much as he can. He just purchased a kitchen set, and bedroom furniture.

“I have no challenges, only joys. I love my new apartment. I just bought a new bed set, kitchen set, and microwave. I work as much as I can to stay busy and it keeps me focused and on the right track.” – Johnathan Gilmore