community supportive housing

February 14, 2021

As a kid in Niceville, FL, Scott Duvall had a star-like personality. In grade school, he was a social butterfly. In middle school, he was voted class clown. However, after entering high school his confidence all but disappeared. During his teen years, Scott became severely self-conscious to the point of multiple breakdowns. As he aged, his internal discourse was so volatile that it began affecting his external communication with others. “What seemed like all of a sudden, it became hard for me to socialize and communicate with others. I just wouldn’t say the right things,” said Scott.

After seeking answers for some time, Scott was ultimately diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in his sophomore year of high school. As a previously used diagnosis on the autism spectrum, Asperger’s syndrome generally manifests as difficulties with social interactions, nonverbal conversation skills, and anxiety and depression. Scott was experiencing it all. “As a kid, you don’t understand it,” said Scott. “After high school, I started working, but would often get scolded for not comprehending social settings or saying things people thought were unsuitable for the setting.”

Due to his communication challenges, Scott was unable to keep the jobs he held after high school. With limited socializing and no motivation, Scott’s mental state began to deteriorate. After exhausting all options, his family sent him away to live with an uncle in Knoxville, TN. Once in Knoxville, he immediately started working a door to door sales job. “It was one of the worst experiences in my life. I was extremely shy and I had several challenges with the job requirements,” said Scott. “But it taught me to grow up. That job pushed me out of my bubble and for the first time, I was motivated to make my life look different.”

In 2009, it was Scott’s mother who ultimately found CCETN. Our Horizon House I/II and Five Rivers programs provide permanent supportive housing for adults with chronic and severe mental illness. The goal of the programs is to allow clients to be as independent as possible within a safe and home-like environment. Scott made the perfect candidate.

In late 2009, Scott moved into the Horizon House II campus in Maryville, TN. Even though he was motivated to transform his life, he soon fell back into the same patterns. “ I didn’t have the best experience when I moved in at first,” said Scott. “It was a lot of change and I was overwhelmed.”

Every chance he got, Scott chose not to socialize with the other residents at Horizon House II. He eventually garnered the nickname “Yeti” since he was always a topic of discussion, but never seen around. However, after Program Leader John Bohacek was  hired in 2010, things changed for the better.

Scott mentioned he loved playing video games and fixing computers. “I would stay in my room all day playing games or fidgeting with electronics,” he said. "One day John came into my room and asked if he could join one of my games. At first, we would just talk about the games, but every time we played I grew more confident in conversing until I was expressing challenges I encountered and allowing John to help me.” As he worked directly with the program leader, Scott’s experience blossomed. He began to interact more with the other residents and come out of his shell. John also found Scott a job fixing electronics in Knoxville, propelling him even further on his path to independent living.

After living as a resident at Horizon House II for a few years, something wonderful happened. Scott met Amanda, a new resident. “We just formed a connection. She was great,” said Scott. Knowing he was interested in Amanda, Scott asked her out on a date on February 14. She accepted. The bond they formed was so strong that they were officially dating a week later and got engaged six months after that. Scott and Amanda opted for a long engagement while they both saved money and continued bettering themselves in the Horizon House program. Scott did so well that he ultimately took on a leadership role at Horizon House II. His increased responsibilities helped further refine his communication skills with other residents as well as with program leaders. By 2015, Scott and Amanda both felt ready to move on. They graduated from the Horizon House II program and moved into an apartment, having both been gainfully employed for a significant amount of time. “I finally felt stable,” said Scott.

In 2019, Scott and Amanda got married. Having had such a big impact on his life, John was asked to be the Best Man. Scott said since moving to Knoxville, John has been the most father-like figure he’s had.

“I’m extremely proud of Scott,” said John. “He beat the stigma of what people think it looks like to live with a mental illness." John expressed that having Scott as a client has also impacted him.” To see where Scott was when we first met and compare it to where he is now is truly amazing,” said John. “He found trust in the program and then he beat the odds.” Today, Scott and Amanda have been married for nearly two years. Scott is no longer taking medications for his illness, citing that Horizon House gave him the resources he needed to manage day-to-day. Both Scott and Amanda have both excelled in their careers. Amanda currently serves as a general manager of a chain restaurant and Scott is a backend network tech. “Horizon House at CCETN set me up for success,” said Scott. “Without the program, I wouldn’t have gone to college or graduated. I may not have met my wife. Catholic Charities offered me one of the best programs I’ve ever seen for mental illness and I’ll always be thankful."

Love at the Horizon

As a kid in Niceville, FL, Scott Duvall had a star-like personality. In grade school, he was a social butterfly. In middle school, he was voted class clown. However, after entering high school his confidence all but disappeared. During his teen years, Scott became severely self-conscious to the point of multiple breakdowns. As he aged, his internal discourse was so volatile that it began affecting his external communication with others. “What seemed like all of a sudden, it became hard for me to socialize and communicate with others. I just wouldn’t say the right things,” said Scott.

After seeking answers for some time, Scott was ultimately diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in his sophomore year of high school. As a previously used diagnosis on the autism spectrum, Asperger’s syndrome generally manifests as difficulties with social interactions, nonverbal conversation skills, and anxiety and depression. Scott was experiencing it all. “As a kid, you don’t understand it,” said Scott. “After high school, I started working, but would often get scolded for not comprehending social settings or saying things people thought were unsuitable for the setting.”

Due to his communication challenges, Scott was unable to keep the jobs he held after high school. With limited socializing and no motivation, Scott’s mental state began to deteriorate. After exhausting all options, his family sent him away to live with an uncle in Knoxville, TN. Once in Knoxville, he immediately started working a door to door sales job. “It was one of the worst experiences in my life. I was extremely shy and I had several challenges with the job requirements,” said Scott. “But it taught me to grow up. That job pushed me out of my bubble and for the first time, I was motivated to make my life look different.”

In 2009, it was Scott’s mother who ultimately found CCETN. Our Horizon House I/II and Five Rivers programs provide permanent supportive housing for adults with chronic and severe mental illness. The goal of the programs is to allow clients to be as independent as possible within a safe and home-like environment. Scott made the perfect candidate.
In late 2009, Scott moved into the Horizon House II campus in Maryville, TN. Even though he was motivated to transform his life, he soon fell back into the same patterns. “ I didn’t have the best experience when I moved in at first,” said Scott. “It was a lot of change and I was overwhelmed.”

came into my room and asked if he could join one of my games. At first, we would just talk about the games, but every time we played I grew more confident in conversing until I was expressing challenges I encountered and allowing John to help me.” As he worked directly with the program leader, Scott’s experience blossomed. He began to interact more with the other residents and come out of his shell. John also found Scott a job fixing electronics in Knoxville, propelling him even further on his path to independent living.

After living as a resident at Horizon House II for a few years, something wonderful happened. Scott met Amanda, a new resident. “We just formed a connection. She was great,” said Scott. Knowing he was interested in Amanda, Scott asked her out on a date on February 14. She accepted. The bond they formed was so strong that they were officially dating a week later and got engaged six months after that. Scott and Amanda opted for a long engagement while they both saved money and continued bettering themselves in the Horizon House program. Scott did so well that he ultimately took on a leadership role at Horizon House II. His increased responsibilities helped further refine his communication skills with other residents as well as with program leaders. By 2015, Scott and Amanda both felt ready to move on. They graduated from the Horizon House II program and moved into an apartment, having both been gainfully employed for a significant amount of time. “I finally felt stable,” said Scott.

Every chance he got, Scott chose not to socialize with the other residents at Horizon House II. He eventually garnered the nickname “Yeti” since he was always a topic of discussion, but never seen around. However, after Program Leader John Bohacek was hired in 2010, things changed for the better.

Scott mentioned he loved playing video games and fixing computers. “I would stay in my room all day playing games or fidgeting with electronics,” he said. "One day John 

In 2019, Scott and Amanda got married. Having had such a big impact on his life, John was asked to be the Best Man. Scott said since moving to Knoxville, John has been the most father-like figure he’s had.

“I’m extremely proud of Scott,” said John. “ He beat the stigma of what people think it looks like to live with a mental illness." John expressed that having Scott as a client has also impacted him. "To see where Scott was when we first met and compare it to where he is now is truly amazing,” said John. “He found trust in the program and then he beat the odds.” Today, Scott and Amanda have been married for nearly two years. Scott is no longer taking medications for his illness, citing that Horizon House gave him the resources he needed to manage day-to-day. Both Scott and Amanda have excelled in their careers. Amanda currently serves as a general manager of a chain restaurant and Scott is a backend network tech. “Horizon House at CCETN set me up for success,” said Scott. “Without the program, I wouldn’t have gone to college or graduated. I may not have met my wife. Catholic Charities offered me one of the best programs I’ve ever seen for mental illness and I’ll always be thankful."

“Language is full of color, but I saw everything in black and white.” - Scott

“Individuals with mental illness are still people that can make a difference in society. They shouldn’t be laughed at or forgotten. And that’s what we do – we give them hope through support and restore their dignity.” – John Bohacek, Program Leader, Horizon House I/II and Five Rivers