Christopher: “What Life is Really About”

Homelessness can happen to anybody. Christopher Gilbert’s story is proof of that.

The trained wine educator and former restaurant leader has years of job experience and a strong work ethic. But a workplace injury and slow-moving bureaucracy, coupled with bad timing related to his housing situation, left Gilbert without a home for almost a year.

Enduring that type of personal journey, in which simple misfortune leads to major calamity, has given Gilbert a clear-eyed perspective on what many people go through when they live without a home. It’s also why he is one of many valued members of the Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB), which has been formed to improve Abode’s efforts to end homelessness.

Gilbert was living in Napa County and making a good living when he suffered a workplace injury. But then a series of events unfolded that were out of his control. As his injury ended his income, his roommate moved in with his girlfriend and Gilbert had to find a new home. As he struggled to keep stable housing, a money settlement tied to his work injury was stalled and did not arrive on time.

Unable to work and with no income, he soon depleted his savings. The bad luck left Gilbert without a home for 11 months. He lived in his truck with his service dog, a Red Nose Pit Bull named Leonidas Alexander.

Experiencing homeless for nearly a year has changed his perspective, Gilbert said.

“It’s very surreal and it shifts your mindset on what life is really about,” he said. “Everything that you thought you knew goes out the window and you’re able to see the bigger picture in life.”

He spent a brief time in a shelter before eventually gained housing in the Napa area. He said he intends to move into another North Bay home when his housing voucher is ready.

Gilbert is an energetic doer and he simply likes to help. Even before joining LEAB, he started a regular meal program, feeding as many as 50 individuals experiencing homessness in the Napa County area.

As his housing situation has stabilized, he has been able to think about next steps for his career, including plans to start his own catering company. He said he would like to use his time as a LEAB member to provide more solutions to people who do not have a home.

“I’d like to simplify the problem-solving process to help formerly homeless people,” he said. “When it comes to finding solutions, impatience can be a good thing.”

Gilbert paused and smiled.

“Sorry, that’s the restaurant person in me talking,” he said.