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Woman provides 'Turning Point' for elderly homeless in Houston

The Turning Point Center in the Spring Branch area may seem like just another typical apartment complex. Typical, that is, until you start talking to the people who live here and hear their stories.

The Turning Point Center in the Spring Branch area may seem like just another typical apartment complex.

Typical, that is, until you start talking to the people who live here and hear their stories.

"I'd be living under an oak tree in Memorial Park some place, if it wasn't for Turning Place,” said Allen Uekert, a resident.

The center offers a variety of services, in an effort to get elderly homeless back into society and off the streets.

Toni Minnix works in the huge kitchen, helping to make dinner for all the residents. She’s learning skills she hopes can land her a job when she leaves here.

"Making a change, getting back on track, They give you a lot of tools to do that here, so it really helps,” Minnix said.

The person who runs this complex is Isha Desselle.

Thirty years ago, the immigrant from Trinidad sold her house to have enough money for a down payment to buy what was then a rundown apartment complex. She fixed it up and turned it into a shelter for the elderly homeless.

"The elderly homeless, it’s sad to say, but I feel this country does not really honor our elderly like many foreign cultures do,” Desselle said.

Here, they get off the streets, get some training and some hope.

"Because I feel they have so much to offer, the elderly, they have so much wisdom and it’s a waste to waste it," Desselle said.

If you would like to help the Turning Point Center, tap/click here.

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