Tia Crum
Thank you to Tia Crum who’s home sale has helped provide emergency and transitional housing for homeless families and support for our marginalized neighbors in Whatcom County through the work of Sean Humphrey House. Because of friends like you who have chosen 2roofs as their Realtor over 200 people in need have been helped to find housing.
Tia, thanks for helping folks like Patrick. Here is his story.
Paying It Forward
“Service to Community” is how former Sean Humphrey House resident, Patrick, chose to give back to those who supported him through his darkest times. Through the help and continued care he received at the SHH, Patrick transformed his life from resident with a bleak future to becoming an inspiration for others.
Patrick was diagnosed with HIV in February 1997. Struggling with his addictions, Patrick acknowledged he’d given up on himself at an early age. “I wasn’t ready for life and I didn’t know how to live any other way”, he said.
During his first stay at Sean Humphrey House, Patrick wasn’t ready for recovery. The former director of SHH didn’t give up on him. When he left the house, he remembers “she encouraged me to be better, to want better, and to think better.” When Patrick was finally ready to change he asked to return to the house because he needed help and wanted to stay close to good people.
As an escape, Patrick took to playing music. He had a safe place and space in his room at the house to work through his emotions. “It’s my heart’s purr, without the pressure of the world’s demands” he said. The practice of music was key in the recovery process.
In a time when Patrick’s family could no longer bear witness to his addictions, the professional and emotional support he received from the SHH and others was a life line. He has since reconnected with his family. “To go from scaring my family to a grim prognosis and now to be one caring for my parents is a gift”.
Patrick reclaimed his life away from addiction. He is now married, has earned his GED and a degree in arts and sciences at Whatcom Community College and is employed as a certified nursing assistant.
“I’m now in a place where I can make a difference.” - Patrick