Annual Report 2025: Nwanya's Story

When Nwanya became an APSI client, he was ready for a fresh start. Coming from a home where his health and safety were at risk, APSI advocated for him to move to a new home, a decision that transformed his daily life and opened doors to the community involvement he'd been seeking.

At his new home, Nwanya has built genuine friendships with his roommates who share his love of wrestling, shopping, and staying active. The supportive environment has enabled him to pursue his interests without the barriers he previously faced.

One of Nwanya's proudest accomplishments is his weekly volunteer work at Matthew 25, a relief organization where he packs meals, clothing, and supplies for people affected by disasters and other emergencies. His previous provider wouldn't take him, but now he attends religiously every week.

"I pack boxes, food, clothes—whatever they need," Nwanya explained. The volunteer work serves multiple purposes: it contributes to his community, builds valuable work experience, and moves him closer to his ultimate goal of securing paid employment.

Nwanya with his PSR, Krista.

"I want to get a job in the community," Nwanya said. "Get paid, because money is very important."

Money matters to Nwanya because it represents independence and the ability to achieve his goals. He's a dedicated saver, carefully managing his funds and planning purchases strategically. He recently sold his PS4, putting those funds toward a PS5 he's planning to buy when it goes on sale. He wants an iPhone so he can easily call and text his support team.

Nwanya also dreams of getting his driver's license, a goal his team is helping him work toward. "I'm ready for it now," he said eagerly. His PSR Krista explained the process: study the book, get a permit, practice driving with supervision, then take the test. It's a step-by-step journey, and Nwanya wants to follow through.

One of Nwanya's most exciting ventures is his emerging tie-dye business. In his current home, he has a bedroom and adjacent “man cave” where he creates vibrant tie-dye shirts in custom color combinations. He's already making shirts and has tested custom shoes and hats for his staff and friends.

The tie-dye business represents more than just income—it's Nwanya expressing his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, building skills that could lead to greater independence.

Beyond business and volunteering, Nwanya has a diverse range of interests. He loves basketball, wrestling, boxing, and video games. He owns a karaoke machine and has performed rap at community events, such as Juneteenth at the Freedom Center in Cincinnati. He attends local wrestling matches when they come to town and takes pride in his appearance, dressing well when he knows visitors are coming.

"I dress good," he said confidently, and he does—coordinated outfits and nice shoes, presenting himself exactly how he wants to be seen.

Recently, Nwanya ran into people from his past, people who don't represent the future he's building. When they approached him, he made a choice: he kept walking.

"I told them to leave me alone, stay away from me," he explained. "I'm looking for the future, not the past."

It's a boundary he's learned to maintain, recognizing that some relationships pull him backward rather than forward. After making a poor choice involving old friends, he reached out to his support network to discuss the incident and learn from it. His response showed his growing ability to reflect on his choices and ask for help when he needs it.

When asked what advice he'd give someone trying to make their life better, Nwanya didn't hesitate: "Just let it go. The past is past, the future is the future. Focus on the future, the positive. Focus on the present and future."

Living with supportive roommates and respectful staff—"Miss Michaela, Greg, everybody's pretty nice"—Nwanya is building the life he wants. He volunteers weekly, creates tie-dye art, maintains boundaries with people who aren't positive influences, saves money for his goals, and dreams about getting his driver's license.

The contrast between Nwanya's previous placement and his current situation is significant. APSI's advocacy for his move based on health and safety concerns gave him the fresh start he needed. Now he has the support to pursue community involvement, build his business, work toward employment, and develop the independence he's striving for.

"You're doing an awesome job," Krista told him during their visit. "You're looking for the future, not the past."

Nwanya nodded. He knows where he's been, and he's clear about where he's going. With APSI's support, Nwanya continues moving forward. The future belongs to him, and he's building it deliberately, colorfully, and on his own terms.