A Life of Service, Setbacks, and Strength
At 59 years old, Steve stands as a powerful example of perseverance. A U.S. Army veteran who served during Desert Storm, he’s faced more than his share of life’s battles—on and off the field. From divorce and incarceration to addiction and homelessness, his journey has been long and filled with hardship. But it has also been marked by something deeper: the quiet strength to start again.
Today, Steve lives independently in his own apartment in Frederick, Maryland. Getting to this point wasn’t easy—but he’s never been one to back down from a challenge.
Hitting Rock Bottom—and Rebuilding
Several years ago, Steve was hospitalized for chronic alcohol abuse and a serious cellulitis infection. With nowhere to go and no family support, he was transferred to Frederick Health and Rehab to recover. There, he began to rebuild—not just his health, but his life. He lost weight, stabilized his blood pressure, managed his diabetes, and treated his depression.
After three years in the facility, in June 2019, he was connected with his SCI Supports Planner, Marjorie Schlosser.
A Plan, A Path, and a Partner
Steve was motivated from day one. Though he lived without informal support, he stayed organized and focused on the goal of independent living. Marjorie worked closely with him, securing approval for the Community Options (CO) Waiver and locating affordable housing options using Social Serve. She also helped him apply for the Bridge Subsidy, which he was approved for in January 2020.
The two became a team—Marjorie stayed in constant contact with the Department of Housing and Community Development, the apartment complex, and Steve himself to keep everything on track. In March, Steve signed the lease for his new home at Little Brook Apartments. By April 1st, the team had planned a smooth discharge from the nursing home.
Then the pandemic hit.
A Pandemic Pause, But Not a Dead End
Just days after his discharge planning, the nursing facility went into lockdown due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Steve’s transition had to be postponed. Disappointed but understanding, he agreed to stay another 30 days for safety.
Marjorie, however, didn’t let the pandemic become a permanent obstacle. She worked tirelessly—coordinating with the Department of Housing, social workers, the apartment complex, and care providers. When other agencies declined due to COVID exposure concerns, Marjorie found Abuzz Healthcare Services, a provider willing to step in and walk with Steve through his new front door.
On May 1st, after months of waiting and planning, Steve officially moved into his own apartment.
Coming Home to a New Beginning
Thanks to transition funds through the CO Waiver and Money Follows the Person, Steve’s apartment was fully furnished. He arrived to find a new bed, linens, appliances, furniture, and groceries waiting for him—everything in place to begin again with dignity and stability.
Today, Steve receives 28 hours of weekly personal care support and 10 home-delivered meals each week. He wears a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) to stay safe when he’s alone, and Marjorie continues to revise and update his care plan to ensure he has everything he needs.
A Sobriety Milestone—and a Spiritual Anchor
In his new home, Steve is thriving. He recently celebrated 12 years of sobriety, continues to attend AA meetings, and finds peace through online worship with All Saints Episcopal Church. He spends time reading the Bible and reflecting on how he can give back to his community.
“It’s a true pleasure to work with Steve,” Marjorie says.
“There were moments I wasn’t sure we could get his groceries due to the pandemic, but everything worked out. His motivation helped all of us push through.”
The Heart of What SCI Does
Steve’s journey is one of resilience, recovery, and rising above. From his military service to his personal transformation, his story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, no roadblock is too big to overcome.
At Service Coordination, Inc., we partner with people like Steve across Maryland to help them transition from institutional care to independent living—connecting them with housing, personal care services, community resources, and the encouragement they need to reclaim their lives.
Explore our full range of services.
At SCI, we believe every person deserves the chance to start again—with dignity, support, and someone in their corner.