CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The challenges of homelessness look a little different for anyone experiencing it, and it isn’t always what you think it is.

“It could be your next-door neighbor, it could be anybody that winds up in that situation,” Nico Riffel, a participant at CU at Home, described.

In fact, she’s a perfect example of just that. She never imagined living in transitional housing or experiencing homelessness herself, but with grit, help, and determination, she’s turning her life around.

“I didn’t experience homelessness until I was 40 years old. I owned a home, had a career, a Cadillac, the whole nine yards,” Riffel explained.

But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she lost her home and job, went through a divorce and struggled with addiction.

“My life turned into a roller coaster ride the last 10 years,” she described.

After moving out of Chicago and getting comfortable in Champaign, she found CU at Home and enrolled in various programming options. In the past year, she has made big strides.

“I have gotten my license back that I haven’t had in 13 years, I’ve gotten a truck, I have a part-time job, I’m enrolled at the U of I in the Odyssey program,” Riffel said.

With the program, participants are enrolled in regular classes, working to earn four college credits for free.

Riffel plans to graduate in May and wants to earn her commercial driver’s license (CDL) after.

That’s not her only goal, she has also gotten involved in the community and discovered new passions through Prosperity Gardens.

“I had never gardened in my life,” she said. “It turned out to be a big passion of mine, that I’ll probably continue to do the rest of my life.”

After working for one year, she has already been promoted to a manager position.

Riffel is also living independently with the help of CU at Home and has re-established a relationship with her parents. In January, she also cleared her record and wrapped up a two-year probation case. After that, she was able to accept a job that she otherwise wouldn’t have had.

“This program is near and dear to my heart and has completely changed my life for the better,” she said.

She wants others to succeed, too, and feels the organization’s “One Winter Night” event can make that possible.

“Just to feel what it feels like to not have the comforts of home just for one night, sometimes is eye-opening,” Riffel described.

One Winter Night starts Friday, Feb. 7th at 6 p.m. in Downtown Champaign near The Venue. 82 people have signed up, and the organization has raised $37,678. The goal is $135,000.

To donate, sign up, or learn more information, visit this website.