Paul, 46

New York… meet Paul, a forty-six year old pianist who is an aspired entrepreneur in the city. Paul has been living in New York for most of his life but has solely been in Manhattan the past ten years. When Paul’s parents passed away he realized that he had to start taking care of himself, saying “my parents always took care of me but when they passed away no one was there for me so I had to go into the shelter system at thirty-five years old”. Paul was appreciative that he could stay in a shelter, but he hated the curfew and how he was restricted on what he could and could not do. Paul likes to be in control of his life, like most of us, which is why he was always conflicted about staying at the shelter. But he has realized that the shelter may actually be a good first step in his search for finding a job and eventually his own apartment.

 Paul is back on the road to becoming the best version of himself that he can be. He has been sober for three months now and has gotten back practicing piano whenever he visits his brother upstate. Aside from Paul resuming his career as a pianist, he has been keeping track of every recycling and trash day in every part of the city and even some areas in Brooklyn. Paul has a tight and routine schedule for collecting cans and bottles to recycle so he can receive some quick cash. Paul told me that he makes about $20-$30 a day, saying “I don’t make that much, but I save it” which forces him to brush up on his scheduling, organization, and time management skills as a whole. Paul said that recycling has kept him from being depressed; “I don’t want to feel like a homeless person panhandling. I want to be like everyone else, you know, wake up in the morning, wash up and get out and make the day”. Paul visits his brother about once a month so he can shower, wash some clothes, enjoy some company, and even practice on the piano that his brother has in his home.

 It’s always good to have family around but it’s even better when they are around with unconditional love and support, which is exactly what Paul has from his brother. Paul doesn’t want his brother to take care of him, but Paul is very appreciative whenever his brother helps him out. Paul is currently relying on a local shelter and the people of New York City to get food and other various resources. Paul is definitely on the right track with a completely different mindset than before. I have no doubt that Paul will lift himself out of this current situation and he’ll only be going up from here. Please, if you see Paul walking throughout the city or if you see him collecting cans in your neighborhood, check in with him to make sure he’s staying positive and continuing to progress his life. Paul, thank you for the beautiful conversation and I wish you the best of luck continuing your journey, you got this!!

Story by Annabelle