UHC Interviewer: Natasha, thank you so much, first, for letting us come into your home and talk to you today. It’s really sweet of you, because it’s kind of weird to have two strangers comin’ in and saying we want to talk to you about your life salutation. Which I’m sure has not been great, and we appreciate you giving us the time to share it with us.
UHC Interviewer: How ‘bout we’ll start with, how did you become homeless? What is your story of your homelessness?
Natasha: I was living in Pivrage Apartments, and the landlord over there did not like me. And so, she was finding any reason to get me out of there. I got in an argument with my boyfriend, and the police had got called out there. And the next day, she came and served me with an eviction notice, and I had 30 days to get out. I had a friend that called and told me about the Upstate Homeless Coalition. So I called and right before I got evicted, I got in here. It was like, I guess, probably a week within my eviction date I got put into Upstate Homeless Coalition.

UHC Interviewer: So that was very very lucky then?
Natasha: Yes, yes I was very lucky.

UHC Interviewer: Well what did you do in that week time frame? Did you have somewhere to stay?
Natasha: I was staying in the apartment still. See, I still had a week in the apartment before I had to get out. So I stayed there up until, I think it was two days before I had to be out, and that’s when I got in here.

UHC Interviewer: Okay
UHC Interviewer 2: What would your options had been had you not found this place?
Natasha: I would have had to see if I could stay with a friend or someone. I don’t really know what I would have done, because I had no where to go.

UHC Interviewer 2: Can I ask, were you working at the time? Or are you working now?
Natasha: I’m trying to get my disability started, so.

UHC Interviewer 2: Oh, okay
Natasha: It’s kinda hard because I would have had no place to go. And my boyfriend, who was my boyfriend at the time, was in and out of jobs, and was trying to find a job. We had nothin’ and then we got in this program and it helped us out a whole lot.

UHC Interviewer 2: Okay
Natasha: A whole lot

UHC Interviewer: So you didn’t have to go a time frame of having to actually be on the street?
Natasha: No…no

UHC Interviewer: Okay.
UHC Interviewer: So, by the grace of God, you did not have to be on the street. Or your boyfriend.
Natasha: No

UHC Interviewer: So how did you find out about this? How did you connect with the Upstate Coalition for the homeless?
Natasha: Uh, a friend of mine had gave me the number. And I had called and talked to Sherry. And thank goodness she had something open right away. And we had to have an interview, and you know a drug test and all that and everything went good. She said it had to have some cleaning done so she done all that then she called me and told me that I could come get the key. I was ready to move in.

UHC Interviewer: How did that make you feel?
Natasha: Oh I was so happy. So relieved that I didn’t have to, you know, depend on no body else or, you know, have to live on the streets.

UHC Interviewer: Absolutely
Natasha: Cause that was the last place I wanted to be.

UHC Interviewer: Yeah. And you and your boyfriend, had this not worked out, you didn’t have anywhere to go right?
Natasha: No

UHC Interviewer: Did you find that the process with Upstate Homeless Coalition was very easy to work with?
Natasha: Oh yes

UHC Interviewer: Who was most helpful to you when you were working with them?
Natasha: Sherry

UHC Interviewer: So Sherry’s a pretty good gal huh?
Natasha: Oh yeah. She helped me out a whole lot. And Stacey did too, which would come over here and help me with counseling and stuff. She helped me out a lot too.

UHC Interviewer: Have you made goals and plans for yourself? Say, for what would you like to be doing in the next five years?
Natasha: I would like to have my disabilities started. Being able to get in my own home, even if it’s rent to own. To have something of my own. You know, right now, we’re living here and we’re paying rent. But I’d like to have something that I could rent to own that will be mine. You know, I don’t want to have to rent all my life and not have anything. You know, but with my medical condition I can’t work.

UHC Interviewer 2: Were you hurt on the job or hurt in an accident?
Natasha: I have mental problems,

UHC Interviewer 2: Okay
Natasha: So I’ve been in and out and fighting this since ’95 so it’s severe. I’ve been trying to get my disability going on five years and I’ve had three attorneys. And this one that I have now I think is gonna do it. Don Pilzer out of Greenville is supposed to be a good attorney. And he’s been keeping me updated and everything so.

UHC Interviewer 1 & 2: Okay
UHC Interviewer 2: So your disability would allow you to be pretty much self sufficient you think?
Natasha: Well, no. I mean, I think it would help out with my fiancé’s income. I think it would help us out a lot though. You know.

UHC Interviewer 2: Okay
Natasha: Even though it’d be a little bit of money, it’d be better than nothing.

UHC Interviewer 2: Okay, understood
Natasha: That way I feel like I can help too. You know, I feel like I’m not doing anything

UHC Interviewer 2: Okay
Natasha: Not being able to provide either

UHC Interviewer: Well when we get this facility, maybe you can come help us there. Because that’s what we want to do, that’s what our whole mission is. Is to build a transitional facility for homeless and we might be knocking on your door here or wherever you are. And I have a son that is mentally ill and is on disability, and so there is hope that you can do it too.
Natasha: Yeah

UHC Interviewer: We did it, and you’ll get it. And he works a little bit, and its more of a volunteer type thing, so see there’s things that you’ll be able to do and it will make you feel better about yourself. Cause I’m sure you don’t want to just sit here and vedge.
Natasha: Yea. No I don’t

UHC Interviewer: That’s great. So you think this attorney will be able to help.
Natasha: Yeah, I think. He’s been really good with me.

UHC Interviewer: So as far then as goals. Your goals are more toward monitoring and taking care of your mental health issues
Natasha: Yes

UHC Interviewer: Than to actually have a vocation or career
Natasha: Yeah. It’s trying to get better. I mean I just want to get better and be able to deal with my problems better than I am now

UHC Interviewer: Right
Natasha: Like I said, it’s been real hard

UHC Interviewer: I’m sure it has
Natasha: And I’m trying to fight. I’ve been fighting for a long time. I just want to get better with that and keep going to counseling and stay on my medication.

UHC Interviewer: Right. Stay on those meds
Natasha: Oh yeah, I don’t’ want to go off my medication.

UHC Interviewer 2: How are you able to pay for your medications right now?
Natasha: Mental health covers them

UHC Interviewer 2: Oh okay
Natasha: Thank goodness. If it wasn’t for mental health I don’t know what I would do, because the medicine is so expensive. It’s outrageous.

UHC Interviewer 2: Got it…got it. I got a daughter with asthma. I understand.
Natasha: It’s terrible

UHC Interviewer: Yeah it’s terrible. And through your disability you’ll be able to have and attain the counseling also right?
Natasha: Yes.

UHC Interviewer: That’s super. That’s great.
Natasha: Yeah. I’ve been going to counseling and doing what I’m supposed to do. I’ve had rough times and I’ve had good times, you know. But I’m still trying.

UHC Interviewer: Well one good thing is, thank God, you haven’t been on the street.
Natasha: Yes

UHC Interviewer: You didn’t have to go to that extreme.
Natasha: Yea to that.

UHC Interviewer: Um. Natasha is there anything you could offer to Dan and myself. Ask us anything or offer us anything about what our project is or what we’re trying to do in Oconee County and this area from your experiences?
Natasha: You’re trying to build a shelter right?

UHC Interviewer: Yes, a transitional shelter for women men and children
Natasha: Yeah, I think that really good.

UHC Interviewer 2: Do you think the process that the Upstate has in place would be a good process for us to try and duplicate in our facility?
Natasha: I think so.

UHC Interviewer 2: Okay
Natasha: I really do. I see a lot of people walking the streets and it’s bad.

UHC Interviewer: Oh it’s terrible.
Natasha: It’s really bad. I feel so bad. I know this one man in Seneca. He is living in the woods and he is staying in the woods. He’s got a bed out there and he’s got his stuff out there like it’s his house. And I mean I feel bad for people like that.

UHC Interviewer: Sure
Natasha: And a lot of the ppl out here though are on drugs and take advantage of what they can get. And that’s, you know, I don’t think ppl like that deserve help with a place to live. I think they need to get help with there drug problem. And the ones that do need help and don’t have a place need somewhere to go.

UHC Interviewer 2: I think the policy at Miracle Hill is that before anyone with a drug problem can be allowed in is they have to go through detox before they can even be allowed in.
Natasha: Oh okay.

UHC Interviewer 2: Then they go through a rehab program while they’re at Miracle Hill. So I’ve kinda looked at that aspect of it and I agree with your prospective.
Natasha: Yea. I think that would be good because there are a lot of them out here that are just hooked on drugs and don’t care where they go.

UHC Interviewer: Right
Natasha: And it’s sad. It really is, but you know they need to get help. They really do. And there’s a lot of them out there that don’t have no where to go you know. And they way the weather is, it’s so cold, you know, and not having a home. I mean, it really hurts my feelings when I see people walking around like that.

UHC Interviewer: I can’t imagine that
Natasha: It’s just so sad.

UHC Interviewer: That’s what Dan and I were saying. I just cannot even imagine that.
Natasha: And it seems like you know, their families would try to help them. But a lot of people, their family just don’t care.

UHC Interviewer 2: Yeah. A lot of hard feelings and they just give up
Natasha: But I think that would be a good thing

UHC Interviewer: Think that it would be a good think for like what you were saying about the help for drugs.
Natasha: Yes

UHC Interviewer: And then transitioning through our facility that we’re gonna build.
Natasha: Oh yeah. I think it would be. I really do. Cause I think there needs to be a shelter around in this area. Cause you know there’s housing in Anderson and Greenville, but we don’t have nothing here.

UHC Interviewer: Right. It’s good that you give us that input. Do you, speaking of knowing a gentleman that’s homeless here in town, do you know of any of them out there that are homeless, are they veterans or do you know?
Natasha: I don’t know, but most of the people I see that are walking and don’t have no place to go are older. Older black men or black women that just don’t have no place to go. And I don’t know if the drugs are an issue

UHC Interviewer: Right
Natasha: I don’t know much about them. I just see them

UHC Interviewer: Right
Natasha: They all go to the soup kitchen and eat lunch. And it breaks my heart to see people like that. And, you know, I wish I could help them but, you know, there’s not much I can do. You know, I’ve even went into my cabinet, you know, and thought about bringing them food to the soup kitchen to help out. Cause I just feel so bad for people like that

UHC Interviewer: Well that’s great that you’ve thought about that
Natasha: I really do wish I could help people, you know, even if I could give them old clothes that I don’t wear

UHC Interviewer: That’ right. That’s a simple way to help.
Natasha: You know, I just feel sorry for them. Cause I know if I had been out there, I would hope that someone would felt the same way for me. But I do think it’s a good idea to do that. I think it would help a lot of people in Seneca.

UHC Interviewer: To have something like this.
Natasha: Yes

UHC Interviewer: A facility. Cause you feel there is a strong need
Natasha: yeah. I do. And I think the drug screening is the best thing for it.

UHC Interviewer 2: Yeah. They probably wouldn’t be allowed in with out it. Especially if you’re gonna have women with children and so forth in the same facility
Natasha: Oh yeah

UHC Interviewer: Even if they’re gonna be separate from the men you have to take all the precautions as possible
Natasha: Oh yeah…yeah. Where’s it gonna be built at?

UHC Interviewer 2: Right across from the post office
Natasha: Oh is it?

UHC Interviewer 2: Yeah in a vacant lot.
Natasha: Oh okay

UHC Interviewer 2: Yeah if you know where the soup kitchen is, right across the street in that vacant lot.
Natasha: Yeah okay.

UHC Interviewer 2: Yeah that vacant lot…that’s ours
UHC Interviewer: Yeah there’s a sign down there
Natasha: Oh okay

UHC Interviewer: Future home of Our Daily Rest is what it says
Natasha: That’s good

UHC Interviewer: We’re excited
Natasha: I bet so. That’s really really good. That’s real good.

UHC Interviewer: And we’re also excited that you’re getting some help too. That’s fantastic.
Natasha: Yeah…yeah

UHC Interviewer: Cause I know that Dan has had some experiences within his family with mental health issues and I have a son with mental health issues and it’s tough. It’s very tough. You know, you’re walking in those shoes, you’re dealing with it.
Natasha: Yeah

UHC Interviewer: And please take your meds
Natasha: Oh I will

UHC Interviewer: Stay off of drugs
Natasha: Oh, I’ve never done anything

UHC Interviewer: And you know, life will get better
Natasha: That’s what I keep telling myself

UHC Interviewer: Life will get better
Natasha: It’s gonna get better. I know it gets worse but it will get better

UHC Interviewer: It will get better, and it sounds promising
UHC Interviewer 2: Well it will get better and then you’ll get old
Laughter
UHC Interviewer: That’s right. It get’s better and then you’ll be old like us
Natasha: laughter. Yeah

UHC Interviewer: That’s great. And we’re both thrilled that you did not have to spend time on the street.
Natasha: I am too. I am too. If it wasn’t for Upstate Homeless, I don’t know what I would have done. And I still talk to sherry all the time.

UHC Interviewer: Oh I’m sure.
Natasha: I do. I call her all the time

UHC Interviewer: That’s great. She seems like a sweet lady.
Natasha: Just to talk to her.

UHC Interviewer: That’s great. And I’m sure she’s always there for you
Natasha: She is…yep. But I am very thankful

UHC Interviewer: Well we’re very thankful that you would allow us into your home to talk with you and share some time with you. And for you to share with us, some of the needs that you think Seneca and Oconee county need. That’s very helpful from your end and input to us. And we wish you the best.
Natasha: Thank you thank you

UHC Interviewer: So thank you sassy and Natasha for talking to us. Natasha: You’re welcome

UHC Interviewer 2: Thank you Natasha: You’re welcome

This interview was done by the Upstate Homeless Coalition with a woman named Natasha. Natasha was forced with a hard time a few months prior to the interview. She and her boyfriend were being evicted from their apartment and were facing life on the street. A friend recommended the UHC to Natasha prior to her eviction. When Natasha contacted the UHC, they soon set her up with temporary housing. Fortunately, Natasha did not have to experience life as a homeless person.