Noah at Central

We're thrilled to be participating in the Rocket Community Challenge! This exciting competition offers us a chance to secure vital matching funds from Rocket Companies. Throughout the challenge, we’ll compete for grand prizes by raising the most funds and tackling mini challenges. Your support is crucial in helping us make the most of this opportunity. Thank you for considering a donation to help us compete and amplify our impact in our mission to end homelessness in Detroit!

At Noah at Central, we walk alongside individuals experiencing homelessness on their journey towards safety, stability, and permanent housing. We are a consistent relationship, a source of support, and a catalyst for change in the fight against homelessness in Detroit. Together, with the support of our dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners, we are working towards a future where everyone has a place to call home. 

DeJuan’s Story: From Unhoused to Housed, 

Employed, and Growing a Family

When DeJuan lost his job at a potato chip factory, life quickly became unstable. Without a steady income, he found himself unhoused and searching for support. Like many individuals experiencing housing instability, he was trying to navigate systems that felt overwhelming and inconsistent.

DeJuan heard about Noah at Central from other unhoused individuals. What’s typically said is “Go to that church on the corner of Woodward and Adams, they will help you.”  DeJuan said that at first, he was just coming to have a place to go, get out of the weather, and take a load off his feet. When coming to Noah, he formed a connection with Dwight, Noah's beloved day porter (who sadly passed in April). Dwight took pride in caring for the community center and ensuring it remained a welcoming space for everyone who walked through the doors. DeJuan began helping Dwight clean around the center. Whether sweeping or taking out the trash, he showed up consistently— out of a desire to “feel like I am a part of something.”

When Dwight was no longer able to work, he recommended DeJuan because of the impact DeJuan made volunteering. Recognizing his reliability, work ethic, and commitment to the community, DeJuan was hired as the new day porter. What started as simply helping out became meaningful employment and a renewed sense of purpose. The good news doesn’t stop there. 

After restarting the housing process with support from Noah at Central staff, DeJuan began working towards housing.  He worked with our team to gather the needed paperwork to apply for housing. Once he had been submitted for housing, our team waited with him to be matched with a housing voucher. When DeJuan received a voucher, Noah at Central staff worked with him to find the place that was right for him. DeJuan moved into his new apartment on Monday, May 11—marking a major milestone in his journey toward stability. 

In addition to housing stability, DeJuan is also beginning this new chapter with family by his side. Along the way, he met his fiancée, J, and together they are preparing to welcome the birth of their baby this July. From losing his job and becoming unhoused to securing employment, stable housing, and building a family, DeJuan’s story is one of resilience, consistency, and community. This is what happens when a community comes together.

At Noah at Central, we often say that transformation happens through relationships, trust, and showing up. DeJuan did exactly that—and today, he is building a future filled with hope.