Brynn Butler, the Housing Coordinator for the City of Fairbanks, shares her story of overcoming homelessness and opiate addiction to become a dedicated advocate for the city's homeless population.
FAIRBANKS , Alaska - Less than seven years ago, Brynn Butler was homeless and now, she’s the Housing Coordinator with the City of Fairbanks.This includes putting on Project Homeless Connect, a yearly event providing resources to those in need in the community, including health screenings, immunizations, and haircuts.
In addition to the cold climate, Butler says there is one emergency shelter for men and women that is not associated with domestic violence specifically, “and it’s a high barrier shelter, and so people who are using drugs or whatnot aren’t able to go there.” For Butler, homelessness involved staying at the homes of friends and acquaintances and using the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living .
“I had gotten beat up pretty bad and I looked at myself in the mirror and I had a broke orbital eye socket. I had track marks all over my arms,” Butler said.Moving back to Fairbanks, she used programs like the IAC and the Rapid Rehousing Program to rebuild her life.“I still have a little bit of imposter syndrome every now and again, being like ‘I shouldn’t be here. I’m just an addict, right?‘”
These factors can make it hard to find and keep stable housing, which Butler said makes it easier to get a job.
Local News HOMELESSNESS DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY SOCIAL SERVICES FAIRBANKS
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