Formerly Homeless, Lawson House Resident to Receive Honor at Holsten Gala

Douglas Black has never been a quitter, and he has the life resume to prove it.

Early on, he enjoyed several successful years with jobs at which he excelled: he sold windows, siding and shingles, and later went on to try his hand as an energy auditor for multiple large companies. But life took a downturn, with the recession and his failed marriages. Eventually, these things took their toll, and Black found himself living outdoors in the Loop and in Lincoln Park, having pawned the last of his photography equipment with which he’d been doing unpaid freelance work for over thirty years.

Always one to do whatever he needed, Black accepted the compassion and generosity of programs and institutions who made it their mission to help the homeless and the disadvantaged rise above their circumstances. Today, he lives comfortably at Lawson House where he also volunteers, collecting donated fresh produce and bakery items from local grocers for fellow residents.

His stable living environment has allowed Douglas to work in a variety of temp jobs: a fruit vendor, a product rep at big box stores, and a fan photographer and Cubs and White Sox games. He’s also recently earned his credentials as an insurance provider and is working on reconnected with his three adult children. While at Lawson, he has gained the time to regroup, find work, and even get another camera. Says Black,

“Holsten Human Capital Development (HHCD) has provided me with much need social services support, I am stronger than I was, and with their assistance I’m able to do photography again. Knowing how much I love baseball – and how much I love to photograph games – they’ve provided me with tickets to ballgames where I’ve been able to take of 300 photos. I’ve even self-published three photography books, which I think will be my legacy for my kids.”

This month, Douglas has another thing to add to his list of achievements. Holsten Human Capital Development, the non-profit arm of Holsten Real Estate which owns and manages Lawson House, will be presenting Douglas with the Outstanding Resident Award at its annual fundraiser. The event will take place on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in Loyola’s Kasbeer Hall (15th floor of Corboy Law Center) located at 25 E Pearson, Chicago. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Sharon Wilson at rsvp@holstenchicago.com or (312) 274-9122.