Hylema Aiken

Hylema Aiken, who used to be part of a clutch of people who set up camp each night in Central Park near 110th Street, said she used to prefer to take her chances on the street. She said she once went to a job interview with two black eyes after being attacked in a shelter.

The park restroom was available for bathing, and she could time her meals around nearby soup kitchens. But Ms. Aiken said she finally got tired and found her way to a safe haven in the East Village operated by Bowery Residents’ Committee.

“I’m almost 60 years old. I can’t keep going here, there, sliding, dipping. I have children. I have grandchildren I want to see,” she said.

Hylema was born in December 1959. Hylema is a Peer Specialist who is currently employed at Nyc Health Hospitals. Hylema received a degree in peer specialist certification, peer services from Academy Of Peer Services in Invalid Date. In Invalid Date, hylema completed the degree in recovery coaching at Recovery Coach Academy