News

By Donna Olendorf
Communications Chair

 

Sammy lives in a one-bedroom apartment in Traverse City and divides his time between work and hobbies. He has lost over 80 pounds, trimmed his long hair, and set his sights on compiling a Pokeman encyclopedia. He just turned 23 years old.

 

A year ago, Sammy was homeless. He had been working two jobs, but then he lost one of them and no longer had enough money to pay the rent. 

 

“I couldn’t live there anymore,” explained Sammy, who has autism. 

 

He spent the next 10 months at Safe Harbor. Working with Goodwill and utilizing his Social Security Disability Insurance, he was able to get housing in January 2026.

 

He is doing great — eating healthy food, watching portion sizes, and keeping busy. In the fall, Sammy works as the football manager at Central High School, a job he loves and has held for the past six years.

 

“I’m actually the film guy; I film practices and games,” said Sammy. 

 

In his spare time, Sammy works on his extensive Pokeman card collection. 

 

“I have all 2,025 cards in both English and Japanese,” he said, adding that his dream is to use the database he meticulously maintains to publish a Pokemon encyclopedia.

 

When he’s not filming football or collecting cards, Sammy spends time at the Traverse City Clubhouse, a community for people with a diagnosed mental health issue: “It helps people be an active member of society.”

 

Sammy’s advice to the homeless community is straightforward: “Be patient. Eventually, you will be housed.”