Paying it Forward

Employee Spotlight: Ralph Holmes
Senior House Manager at Hope House

CaringWorks team member Ralph Holmes is a Senior House Manager at Hope House, the organization’s 70-bed residential facility in downtown Atlanta that provides housing and support to men who have experienced homelessness and are in recovery from substance addiction. Ralph supervises several house managers who work together to ensure Hope House residents follow the program rules and guidelines. Ultimately, he says, their goal is to equip and empower clients for success.

“Mostly it’s about the clients and making sure that they’re comfortable in the environment that they’re in to get the recovery that they’ve been seeking,” Ralph said.

Ralph has been working at CaringWorks for nine years, but many people don’t know the backstory that led him here.

“I was homeless in 2007,” Ralph said. “For me, working here is a give back situation. I consider myself a servant.”

Ralph experienced firsthand the challenges of being homeless, as well as the instrumental impact of people who gave him the opportunity to get help. He was part of a transitional housing program in Fulton County and after he completed the program in 2008, he started working there. When that program disbanded several years later, Ralph joined the team at CaringWorks.

“When I was homeless, I didn’t know where I was going to go. I was down on myself, but there were house managers who uplifted me and made sure I was taken care of. They showed me the way of how to serve people. I learned from them.”

Ralph says one of the most satisfying parts of his job is seeing clients successfully complete the program and leave Hope House. He also says client success requires patience and an understanding that the recovery process is different for everyone.

“For the ones who are struggling, everybody’s not going to get it on their first try. And when that happens, we’re not going to beat them up. We’re still going to show compassion and respect.”

Ralph says he’s grateful to work alongside a devoted team that’s focused on helping clients reach their goals, and that the experience has had a big impact on his life.

“I want to thank CaringWorks for giving me this opportunity to be the best person I can be; to help people, and to serve others. I’m paying it forward.”

 

About CaringWorks:

Built on the single idea that all people—no matter their social or economic standing—should have a chance to improve their quality of life, CaringWorks has served thousands of clients since our inception in 2002. Since then we have grown exponentially to become one of Georgia’s leaders in providing permanent supportive housing. We serve hundreds of individuals each year through unique programs and services that are specifically tailored to the needs of those facing chronic homelessness.

Donate today to help us end homelessness.

August 2024