This page is dedicated to those who have sent us words of thanks and gratitude and overall words of kindness for our work. It is these seemingly small gestures that encourage and inspire us all in this line of work to continue to do what do. Thank you!
Greg's Story: Finding the Light Again Greg is a proud 2008 graduate of Bellows Falls Union High School. In the small community of Bellows Falls, he became a familiar and beloved face. People knew him for singing and dancing through the streets, bringing joy and laughter to those around him. Later, he embraced another passion, performing in drag as Skyler Tyler, where he found creativity, self-expression, and connection. For most of his life, Greg lived in his family home in Bellows Falls. It was more than a house—it held the memories of his childhood, his family, and the life he had always known. In 2014, Greg experienced the heartbreaking loss of his father in that home, making it an even more meaningful place. Then, just two days before Christmas, on December 23, 2023, everything changed. An electrical fire that began in a breaker box on the second floor spread rapidly through the house. Despite the efforts of the Bellows Falls Fire Department, the home could not be saved. In a matter of hours, Greg lost not only his belongings but the place where his memories, security, and sense of home had always existed. As he began trying to recover from this devastating loss, Greg learned there was no fire insurance on the home. Living on a fixed income made rebuilding financially impossible. Overnight, he found himself without a home. Like many people facing a housing crisis, Greg did not become homeless because of poor choices. He became homeless because tragedy collided with limited resources and a lack of affordable housing. With nowhere else to turn, Greg relied on Vermont's Emergency Housing Program, moving from motel to motel in unfamiliar communities far from his family, friends, and the support system he had always depended on. Instead of finding safety, Greg often felt frightened. The activity outside his motel room at night left him feeling vulnerable and unable to relax. Every evening brought uncertainty, and restful sleep became difficult. When the motel placements ended, Greg returned to the property where his family home once stood. With no other options, he began living in his car in the driveway. For nearly two years, Greg endured Vermont's freezing winters and sweltering summers from the front seat of his vehicle. Simple comforts that many of us take for granted—a warm shower, a safe place to sleep, a kitchen to prepare a meal, or the ability to lock a door and feel secure—became daily challenges.
Eventually, Greg came to Springfield Supported Housing Program (SSHP) looking for help. Finding housing was not easy. With no rental history and an income limited to Social Security, barriers appeared at every turn. Still, Greg refused to give up. He completed housing applications, responded to advertisements, and continued searching, even after months of disappointment. Then, in August 2025, hope finally arrived. Greg was offered a shelter unit through SSHP. The first thing he did after moving in was take a long, hot shower. For many people, a shower is part of an ordinary morning routine. For Greg, it represented something much bigger. It was comfort. It was dignity. It was the beginning of feeling human again after nearly two years without a place to call home. Soon after, another life-changing letter arrived. Greg had been approved for an income-based one-bedroom apartment. On September 4, 2025, Greg moved into permanent housing. After nearly two years of homelessness, uncertainty, and survival, he finally had a home. Although moving meant leaving Bellows Falls for a new town, Greg embraced the opportunity to begin again. Not long after settling in, Greg called to share his excitement. He wanted everyone to know how happy he was. Then he told me about the stained-glass window in his kitchen. Every morning, he sits with a cup of coffee as the sunlight shines through the colorful glass. To Greg, that light means something far greater than a beautiful window. It is the light at the end of a long journey. Greg's story reminds us that homelessness can happen to anyone. A single crisis—a fire, the loss of a loved one, an unexpected hardship—can unravel a lifetime of stability. Recovery is not just about finding a roof overhead. It is about restoring safety, dignity, hope, and the chance to build a future.
Sometimes, changing a life begins with something as simple as opening the door to a place someone can finally call home.
“Over the years, Springfield Supported Housing Program has been a trusted, reliable, and skilled lifeline for many of our residents who face financial challenges, coupling critically needed assistance with budget counseling to help residents become self-supporting. Our housing resource would be significantly diminished without SSH’s help.” - Local Landlord
“I went into the emergency shelter program. There I met you. You and Jenn got me into a better mindset as I was battling alcoholism and heart failure, I did not think I would be alive today. Now I'm in an apartment and celebrating 1 year sober and recovering from health problems. No one thought I could do it. You guys gave me all the tools and helped me build a sober healthy life.” - Previous Client
“Working with this program has always been a seamless process for me as a landlord and I would assume for the prospective tenants as well; as I have seen firsthand the time and attention paid to each case/client.” - Local Landlord
“It has been an honor doing business with SSHP throughout 2023. The SSHP staff has been incredible to work with, have provided many of our tenants with financial assistance, which has been large part of keeping our tenant population housed and successful. I appreciate you, and the SSHP staff for all you have done and continue to do for the Springfield Community.” - Local Landlord
“SSHP plays such a critical role to help our most vulnerable populations get connected to housing resources and stability. I have had the honor as a board member to watch them grow and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our community. It is not always easy work, but important work and their dedication is inspiring." - Board Member
“I’ve been working with SSHP for over three years. They have helped me in more ways than just trying to find housing. SSHP has been a huge support to me emotionally and I would not have gotten this far.” - Client
Congratulations Mike Kemp for winning Landlord of the Year 2024! Landlord Appreciation Dinner Sponsors: Thank you for the support and sponsorship for our upcoming Landlord Appreciation Dinner. This event is created to show appreciation for the landlords who support SSHP and our clients. Most importantly, we will present an award to the outstanding landlord of 2024! Landlords are extremely important in our work to help alleviate the homelessness situation our State and community have experienced in a greater form over these past few years. We at SSHP want to ensure that those who are invested in our community get the support and recognition they deserve.