EDWARD’S JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE, HOPE, AND FINDING HOME

Edward Johnson’s journey is one of resilience, hope, and the power of community. At 62, Edward, a DC native, cherishes family, keeping close ties with his siblings through daily texts. But his path has not been easy.

After losing his mother and partner Joyce within months, Edward spiraled into depression and addiction, struggling to care for his son. For over 20 years, he faced housing instability, often moving from one relationship to another just to have a roof over his head. Despite working as a painter and maintenance worker, Edward found himself homeless, living “from pillar to post.”

Determined to change, Edward sought help from his father and entered a six-month recovery program. With support from his family and church, he rebuilt his life and vowed never to use drugs again, even after losing his son at just 31 years old. In 2018, Edward found himself homeless once more, staying at a shelter. That is when Miriam’s Kitchen connected him with Case Manager Tierra Askew, who helped him secure a housing voucher.

In 2019, Edward moved into his own apartment in Columbia Heights, where he finally found stability. Although managing his new life was challenging, Edward’s current Miriam’s Kitchen Case Manager, Christine Bryant, helped him develop a repayment plan when he fell behind on rent. “Christine is so helpful,” Edward shares. “She brings me food, comes to see me, helps me with paperwork, and we have a very strong relationship.”

Now, Edward is a proud grandfather of six who prays for his grandchildren every day. His home has become a place where his family can visit and gather. Although retired, Edward continues to seek purpose, having worked part-time with Safe Passage, a program ensuring children’s safety before and after school.

Edward’s story reminds us of the profound impact of community support. At Miriam’s Kitchen, we are committed to helping individuals like Edward find stability, hope, and a place to call home. Through compassion and dedication, we can make a difference, one story at a time.