For many of our clients and guests, the Poverello Center is a stepping stone to housing and employment. It can also be a space for finding inspiration for further helping the community. That’s the case for Guy Johnson, a former client of the Poverello Center who now works to battle housing insecurity and help individual people as they transition into housing. 

In 2018, Guy was homeless, and found himself incarcerated. He served 18 months, began substance abuse treatment, and found a job through the Department of Corrections Pre-release program. Guy’s pre-release experience landed him at the Johnson Street Emergency Winter Shelter as an employee for the Poverello Center, with a job as Direct Care staff. 

“I love this field just because I’ve been in this situation,” he said of working at the Poverello Center. “I can make that connection with folks. It’s personal for me, knowing what it’s like to struggle day-in and day-out.”

After direct care, Guy worked on the Homeless Outreach Team, and as a shelter manager. He said he had the opportunity to build personal relationships with clients and guests, and found a passion for helping people who wanted to make a change in their lives. After three years, he moved from work at the Poverello Center to the Missoula Authorized Camping Space (ACS).

The ACS was a safe place for individuals who needed a place to set up encampments from January through October of 2022. When that shut down, Guy found work through Hope Rescue Mission, and earned his behavioral health peer support specialist certification. These days, he works at the Temporary Safe Outdoor Space as a peer mentor with Hope Rescue Mission. 

“I never thought I would be able to be in this position, but I used my life experiences to get here,” he explained of his situation now. “I’ve been able to work with some really cool people, people who want to be mentors,” and he has used their support to continue supporting individuals in the Missoula community. 
Guy is one of many individuals who has found help from the Poverello Center, not only as a place to eat a meal or spend a night, but also as a way to give back to Missoula.