Guest Story- Mr. Oliver’s Journey - 03/17/2026

This story was written by an INN staff member at the Center for Transformative Change

Mr. Oliver has been coming to the INN for several years. In January of 2025, he arrived at the Center for Transformative Change resource center (CTC), dressed in a hospital gown with one hospital slipper and one boot along with an IV port still in his arm, lifted his gown in the hallway outside of the case manager’s office and said, “look.” The case manager, who was assisting another guest, stopped what they were doing, called 911 immediately, and collected some clothing to cover Mr. Oliver. When EMS and the Police arrived, the staff was advised that there had been a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for Mr. Oliver after he walked out of the local hospital where he was being treated. He was transported to the hospital by ambulance from a nursing home where he was receiving rehabilitation after being struck by a car.

 

After Mr. Oliver was discharged from the hospital, the CTC placed him in crisis housing for several weeks at the Freeport Marina INN to allow for further healing. Mr. Oliver also received medical attention through the Harmony Health Mobile Van at CTC.

 

Since the day he arrived at CTC in distress, the case manager, with help from the CTC team has been able to assist Mr. Oliver with obtaining his birth certificate, social security card, and the reinstatement of his SSA benefits. The case manager also assisted Mr. Oliver with the completion of an application for an apartment in Hempstead. They helped Mr. Oliver through an interview with the apartment building management, as well as an appointment with the DMV to apply for a non-drivers’ ID after running into a few obstacles. We do whatever we can to help CTC guests get what they need. We draft letters, accompany them to appointments, and speak on their behalf when they cannot speak for themselves, or want to give up in the middle of the process. Today, Mr. Oliver is recovering from his injuries, living indoors in his own apartment, and has adequate identification to receive benefits to get his life back on track. We are glad he showed up at CTC that day and are honored to have the resources to help him.