Andre, 44, describes his path from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, back to Denver, where he has lived for five years this time around. He first moved to Denver years ago, spent a period in Harrisburg working retail and in restaurants, then returned west. He reflects on his work history, describing both the satisfaction of kitchen work and the relentless “drama” he saw in restaurants, including one incident where an owner threw a piece of cake in his face.
Now he lives in shelter housing most of the time but occasionally sleeps outside “to be humble,” though he admits it isn’t safe. He dreams of retraining for work that isn’t too physical, given his limitations, and tries to remain positive, telling his story without bitterness. His resilience and reframing of hardship as “learning experiences” define his perspective.
