Salvador R. was hospitalized for over a month with a blood infection that left him temporarily paralyzed. Once he was discharged, he needed full-time assistance to help him with his recovery and he was unable to return to his full-time job as a produce inspector at a local grocery store. 

After spending about eight months at a recuperative care facility, Salvador found himself without an apartment and living at a shelter while still dealing with the impacts of his infection.  

“I was trying to be patient and take it one day at a time,” said Salvador, who spent one year living at a Los Angeles shelter. “That was my daily motto.” 

A Connection to Support and Community 

Salvador was eventually matched with Bryson Legacy, an affordable housing development in Los Angeles where Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) provides case management services. Getting connected to Bryson has given Salvador stability and a sense of independence that allows him to focus on his recovery while being part of a supportive community.  

“Being at Bryson has given me hope and the appreciation of help,” said Salvador, who is grateful for having amenities like a gym, computer room, community room, and laundry onsite. “I know if I feel isolated or by myself, someone will eventually come by with a smile on their face and I know I’m not alone. It’s a great feeling.”  

And it’s not just the residents who Salvador credits for helping him feel less lonely, but the MHALA staff. “If I’m going through something, I know there is a staff member I can depend on,” he said. “My case manager has shared with me that I’m not alone, period.” 

Salvador’s MHALA case manager, James, has helped him get referred to mental health services, apply for benefits like CalFresh, and set up online accounts. 

“We don’t realize how blessed we actually are. We have a team of people who are here to help and support us,” Salvador said. “They have a love for what they do, and they do it on a daily basis with a smile on their faces. Everybody here is awesome.” 

Focusing on the Future 

Salvador said his recent experiences have reminded him how much he has to be thankful for. That includes his son and 5-year-old grandson, who live in nearby Inglewood. Salvador is a co-coach on his grandson’s T-ball team. 

With stable housing and support, Salvador is focused on his physical recovery while he is still unable to work.  

“I’m thankful for absolutely everything I have right now,” he said. “It’s so satisfying to know the keys you’re pulling out of your pocket are to your own place. You look around and there’s hope everywhere. It’s a great feeling to know that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”