Shane never imagined he would experience homelessness.

Born and raised in Gloucester, he ran his own auto shop for 13 years and helped raise his four children. Then, losses and separation left him without a home or a support network. He found himself sleeping in his truck. “For the first time in my whole life, I was homeless.” He lived that way for nearly two years, often using alcohol to stay warm in the cold.

In February of 2024, Shane connected with Action Inc. and Jim Noble, a Supportive Housing Case Manager, who had known Shane’s family for many years. That trust made all the difference. Through Action Inc.’s Supportive Housing program, Shane was able to secure stable housing and begin rebuilding his life. He received furniture through Second Glance, help accessing food assistance, and support applying for disability benefits after being diagnosed with Huntington’s disease last year.

Today, Shane has been sober for 19 months. He has a home, a routine, and a dog named Freckles who gets him outside every day. Most importantly, he has reconnected with his family. His children are back in his life, and his one-year-old grandson lives close by.

“Things are night and day now,” Shane said. “Having housing and support changed everything.”