A Second Chance, and the Support That Made It Possible
When Eric Hepner arrived at The Doe Fund’s Gates Avenue transitional residence, he didn’t know what to expect. What he found was a staff who met him with consistency, care, and structure, and a community he now calls family.
“My time at Gates was one of the best experiences of my entire life,” Eric says. “They will be my family forever.”
Starting Over
The early days weren’t easy. As a new participant in Ready, Willing & Able, Eric was still adjusting to a new environment, new routines, and new expectations. He arrived at Gates Avenue with little clothing and fewer resources.
On his third day there, he prepared to step out for a walk in the cold. Doe Fund staff member James Stevens noticed.
“He asked if I was going out dressed like that,” Eric recalls. “I said yes, I’m fine. I thanked him for caring.”
Eric didn’t think much of the interaction until he returned. “When I came back, I found out that Mr. James had left a bag of clothes in the third-floor library that he thought would fit me if I wanted them.”
He still remembers that moment clearly: “That’s how much he cared for a man he only knew for three days. He didn’t even know I kept those clothes and wore them months later.”
It was one of the first signs to Eric that he wasn’t alone.
The People Who Helped Him Move Forward
Eric speaks highly of the entire staff, from his case manager to the Facility Director, Tim Mathews. Each person played a role in his progress, especially during moments when he struggled or needed direction.
But he credits James Stevens with setting the tone early on.
“Everyone works to make money,” Eric says. “But all he ever wants to do is help people. He trusts everyone right away until they show him he shouldn’t — after 20 years in this work.”
Eric says that trust helped him stay motivated and accountable during his time in the program.
Navigating Life After Gates Avenue
Before long, The Doe Fund’s housing placements staff connected Eric to an apartment of his own. That left one last hurdle: achieving employment. With a place to call home but no job, Eric admits that in the beginning, “My transition back to the real world didn’t go very smoothly at first.”
Luckily for Eric, he was at the right place. After all, Ready, Willing & Able is a jobs training program at its core — and Eric leaned on the support system he built in it to create a compelling resume, develop essential workplace skills, master the job interview, and begin applying. The results followed.
“I emailed my case manager with very good news,” Eric told us recently. “I started a job at a wonderful restaurant. I told her I will be bringing my first check to Mr. Matthews as soon as I get it.”
He looks forward to donning a cap and gown at our graduation ceremony in July.
Looking Ahead
Eric’s reflections are sincere and straightforward.
“It was very difficult at first, but the rewards were a thousand times greater,” he says. “Every single person on the staff at Gates is an angel and a gift to society.”
As he moves forward, he continues to stay in touch with the people who supported him.
