Program Participant Spotlight: Tatiana “Nunu” Edgerton, TLC

How did you first come to the Transitional Living Community (TLC)? 

I actually had a situation, and I have bipolar disorder. The last shelter I was at really treated me unfairly. I didn’t receive any help, and I was very vocal about that. While I was there, it got to the point where they had us showering outside on a bus every day. The ceilings were moldy…And at TLC, coming here, we actually get things and people donate stuff. At this other place, they were taking everything for themselves.

Did the other shelter transfer you here? 

Yeah. It was a blessing, them putting me in here. I got put right into TLC because I have bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, so I was like, “I need help.” Honestly, I was really scared of being here at first. If you would have talked to me, like, five months ago, eight months ago, my anxiety was bad. It was really difficult for me at first, like I ran away from here and slept on a train. I went through so many episodes, and I was all over the place. I don’t have family or friends, so it was really difficult for me. But we got the silver lining.

What I really do love about TLC is the staff because no one treated me differently. I’ve had episodes here in front of some of the staff members, and instead of looking at me like I’m crazy or treating me any other way, they’ve taught me not to feel shame. I feel supported in the sense that I’m still human, and I’m so grateful for [Program Director Christian Molieri] and for my house. I’ve really changed a lot. Like, if you had seen me when I first got here…

So you think being here has helped you to open up?

Yes, they got me to open up, talk to people, be my authentic self. Sometimes they have art programs for us, and Christian did a snack and paint. We had a program for six weeks where it was like Sex and the City, and they gave us $100 gift cards. I feel like homelessness is a mentality, and so they really teach us that you can be somebody. I think it’s really important that we do have community and we have people who care about us.

Are you in therapy here?

My therapy is outside, but [TLC] got me connected with my therapist. It was very important to me that I had a black therapist, like an older figure, so they really did help with my appointments and stuff. And it’s been really important to have my therapist continually. One thing I like to live by is just being the best person I can be. That’s all I can do, you know? 

You’re clearly a very artistic person. Is that something that’s been encouraged here?

I really want support, and I’m a person where I want to motivate other people who are artistic. I dance, and I’m still trying to find my place in the world…I’m in my mid-20s, kind of trying to get myself out there.

Someone just asked me “Why aren’t you on social media?” So I’m thinking about it. I’m really thinking about that. I want to put myself out there, and I want to connect with other people, and I hope to connect with people over mental health specifically. I really don’t see it–maybe just because I’m not on social media–but even here, people are so close-lipped about their struggles or going through different things. And we all go through things, so it’s like, when you look at people’s art, you can tell there’s something there. There has to be something. That’s why I want to be the person to put my art out there and connect with people, and I’ve learned here to have a voice. 

Have you made friends here? What’s the community like? 

It’s 30 women, but it changes a lot. Everyone has something going. I’m very introverted, and I used to have really bad codependency issues. So, when I came here, I always attracted people who had their own issues. But I’ve gotten to the point here where I love being alone. I’ve evolved. I’m here for the betterment of myself. I was connected with people, but then I had to let them go because they weren’t evolving. 

When you sit back and can kind of see everyone as they are, it really helps you get perspective that everyone’s going through something. So, in their time period, how they deal with things is on them. I can’t help anyone else unless I’m focusing on myself. It’s like that airplane thing, you know? You need to put your mask on first before you help others with theirs. I’ve really learned to just stand on my own, and I’m really grateful I can say this whole experience has taught me how to stand. Like, if I could go through this situation, I can go through anything. 

How long have you been here at TLC?

Since January 4th. I slept on a train to be here. It was really bad stuff, and then I had an episode. But I ended up here and took my medicine, started therapy. Everything started changing. There’s an expression I live by: If nothing changes, nothing changes. So I changed everything.