Moving On Up
By Matt Bauer-Yuen
It’s been a long time coming, but Dyland Allen, fondly called known as Mr. Allen, is finally moving into his own apartment. It’s two days before move-out day, and Mr. Allen is ready. His belongings are packed, he’s chosen the perfect spot to hang his TV he's chosen the perfect spot for his TV, and he carries a Walter Payton football card in his pocket—a small cherished reminder of his Chicago roots.
“With Her, I Can Do Anything”
"When I first started working with Mr. Allen, he was very closed off. I couldn't get in," Cecily Owens, Wilder’s Supportive Housing case manager recalled. "But when he realized that I actually cared and was listening to him, truly listening, we were able to set up some goals."
Mr. Allen had worked with case managers before. His experiences created a natural skepticism because their interactions were often brief—quick 10-minute phone calls that never seemed to lead anywhere. Cecily was different. Their calls would go overtime, some even for hours. sometimes lasting for hours.
From encouraging Mr. Allen to take short walks as he recovered from double knee surgery to, helping him get his driver’s license and securing a car, Cecily was there every step of the way. As he regained mobility, lost weight, and pursued work training opportunities, Mr. Allen began to open up.
Reflecting on his journey, he shared, "With Cecily, I can do anything. She means a lot to me. She’s not only there for the paperwork, but she listened to me... She’s important to me. I didn’t do any of this good stuff without her motivation."
Wilder’s Supportive Housing program partners with families and individuals to find safe and affordable housing so that they can focus on achieving independence and stability. “Mr. Allen is who this program was designed for. He is an example of what can happen if you use the resources that are laid out for you,” Cecily shares.
"I'm Doing The Jefferson, Moving on Up"
Even though he was an exceptional tenant, in Wilder’s Supportive housing program, with no infractions, Mr. Allen wrestled with the fear of losing his home— he worried that unforeseen circumstances could jeopardize his housing stability and it could all be gone. Having experienced homelessness, Mr. Allen worked hard to build a stable home for himself. For Mr. Allen, "Home means peace of mind, security, warmth, food—being able to get up and take a shower in your own place, hot water. You know, all those things that look small to rich people are big to me."
Now, as he prepares to move out of the program and into his own apartment, he doesn’t take any of his hard work for granted. He’s proud of the life he is building and the direction he is heading.
Mr. Allen now encourages friends and others to seek out support from Wilder, emphasizing how much the team at Wilder cared and helped him. "He’s just so happy, and he wants to help anybody he can," Cecily says with a smile. "He’s volunteering at a shelter. He wants to see everyone get the help they need and be successful."
"I Don’t Want to Go Back, I Want to Go Forward"
Mr. Allen’s journey is a testament to resilience, trust, and the power of meaningful support. With Cecily’s guidance and his own determination, he has not only secured stable housing but also stepped into a future filled with independence and purpose. "I don’t want to go back, I want to go forward," he says—a simple yet powerful mantra that captures his outlook. With a home of his own, a renewed sense of purpose, and the belief that he can keep moving forward, Mr. Allen is truly, as he puts it, "doing The Jefferson"—embracing the future with open arms.
