John, 48, shares how his life unraveled after the death of his first wife, whom he was married to for 19 years. The loss pushed him into despair, drugs, and eventually homelessness. He even set a date to end his life in March 2017, though he admits he didn’t have the courage to go through with it. His turning point came when he met his current wife, Kato, whose joy and spirit gave him hope and purpose again. They married about a year ago, and she is now pursuing a degree in health administration with a 4.0 GPA, aspiring to open a shelter someday.
Despite hardship, he stresses the importance of not judging unhoused people by appearances, reminding others that many just need compassion or a small gesture of kindness. For John, drug use remains the biggest destructive force on the streets, and he believes that without it, much of the suffering he sees would be eased. His story balances grief, resilience, and his deep desire to support his wife’s success while rebuilding meaning in his own life.
