Roger’s STORY

Born in 1945 in New Orleans, Roger Butler’s life has been marked by both hardship and resilience. After years of housing instability brought on by incarceration and substance use, Roger found himself at a crossroads. Thirteen years ago, a friend of his daughter introduced him to HomeRise—and everything changed.

With courage and humility, Roger embraced a new beginning. He moved into a HomeRise building and started building the life he had long hoped for. “I try to maintain an attitude of gratitude,” Roger says. “That’s relatively easy here. The staff, especially resident services, have been very helpful.”

Roger’s journey hasn’t just been about finding a roof over his head—it’s been about rebuilding what matters most. Today, he’s proudest of something you can’t measure in dollars or square footage: his renewed relationships with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His greatest hope is to keep strengthening those bonds and continuing the progress he’s made.

Roger is excited about his continued progress. “And to anyone facing struggles like I did, I’d say: Never give up. Don’t give up right before the miracles.”

At HomeRise, we believe everyone deserves the chance to rewrite their story. Roger’s path reminds us that it’s never too late to begin again—with support, community, and a place to call home.