George Caponigro

Today, George Caponigro lives for precious moments and the family that he thought he'd lost forever. In his cozy apartment, filled with photos of his grandchildren and the many recognitions he has received for his work as a homeless advocate, George is a long way from the bench on Boston Common that he once called home.

"For me, like most people, homelessness was part of a downward spiral," George states. "There wasn't one event, but a lifetime of events that led to it." A college graduate, George once owned his own restaurant, was married and had a family. But, his struggle with bipolar disorder and alcoholism couldn't withstand the death of his mother and the loss of his business. When his wife left with the kids, George hit rock bottom. He soon found himself living on the streets, including 3 years living on Boston Common. "I was surviving, not living," George recalls. "Ironically, there I was, living completely in public, but no one ever really saw me."

Finally, someone did. In a shelter, George met a college student that asked him out for coffee. Just talking with someone who saw beyond his homelessness was a turning point. "When she saw the person inside, I knew I was still here," he says. George was ready to get help.

The turning point came from HomeStart, a United Way agency partner. Adhering to the Housing First philosophy, HomeStart puts people into stable, permanent housing as soon as possible, and then provides home-based case management services.

Today, George is a noted advocate for the homeless, working at a shelter and serving on the board of directors of HomeStart. He has re-united with his family and enjoys reading to his grandchildren and cooking for them. "They're the most precious thing to me," he says softly.

What does LIVE UNITED mean to George? "It means that we can all be part of the solution."