Plymouth Housing resident RM is quiet and unassuming. Anytime you see him, he’s with his dog Cleo, a constant companion.
“She’s a wonderful dog,” he said. “She makes me smile every day.”
RM’s face lights up when he talks about growing up in Seattle’s Yesler Terrace neighborhood.
“I was a shooting guard on the basketball team at West Seattle High School,” he said. “I would play pick-up games wherever I could in the city.”
RM remained in Seattle when he reached adulthood. He became a father to two boys, and continued playing basketball leisurely.
“I never had my own place officially,” he said. “I had always stayed with friends and family.”
RM almost always has his dog Cleo by his side.
RM said life was good. However, his anger management issues negatively impacted his relationships. He found it difficult to keep a job. Then his problems escalated, and soon he started getting arrested.
“I was in and out of jail,” he said. “My anger made it hard to relate and get along with people.”
After going to prison for a second time, RM said that was the lowest point in his life. But he said a court appearance changed everything for him.
“At the courthouse, I was filling out a resource form,” he said. “It asked if I was homeless and I said yes.”
RM enrolled in the Community Center for Alternative Programs (CCAP), instead of serving additional jail time. As part of CCAP, he was required to participate in employment and life skills development classes. They also assisted him in securing housing.
“I ended up staying at a clean and sober house,” he said. “There, I learned from a case worker about Plymouth Housing.”
Since 2006, RM has been a resident at Plymouth Housing. He says he really enjoys living in his own apartment. Additionally, he has worked with a therapist to help him manage his anger.
“My therapist has helped a lot,” he said. “I also like living in a nice place. It’s home and I don’t want to lose it.”
RM’s housing case manager Michael says he always has a positive outlook on life.
“He’s friendly and supportive of his peers,” Michael said. “He’s able to self-regulate and manage his life affairs with minimal input from staff.”
RM says the building staff are kind and approachable.
“They’re awesome,” he said. “Their door is never closed.”
On par with his positive nature, Ramele says people shouldn’t give up if they’re experiencing homelessness.
“Hang in there,” Ramele said. “Be patient and keep asking for help.”
Ramele also wants people to know that homelessness can happen to anyone.
“I’ve met people with degrees who’ve been homeless,” he said. “People shouldn’t judge. We aren’t different from each other. We’re all human.”