Meet Matt & Blake: "For me, it was the beginning of a much better life"

In 2001, Matt was hit with a series of events that would change his life dramatically. “I was living in San Francisco and within three months I lost my job as a network engineer. My partner and I broke up and he asked us to leave the house, and my son was diagnosed with autism within three months. So, we ended up without a place to go; it was a really tough time. I was just stuck in this place where I didn't have any money to pay someone to watch my kids so I could get a job but I needed a job so I could pay someone to watch my kid. At the same time my son was being diagnosed with autism, he was just… he cried seven or eight hours a day.”

After couch surfing with some friends and passing through shelters, Matt found out about Hamilton Families’ Transitional Housing program and made it in. Determined to finish his college education, Matt qualified for financial aid and enrolled at San Francisco State University and eventually graduated getting his biology degree. A new life began for Matt and Blake all while staying at Hamilton Families. 

Hear the journey of single dad, Matt, and his son, Blake, as they went from experiencing homelessness to owning their own home.