You can help bring men like John out of the cold today.
Do you remember how hard you have to work to stay warm on the coldest days of winter?
John does, because he lived in his car.
John had a routine. He would light candles, put foam around every window, to keep the heat in, and then wear a snowsuit to bed.
Even with all this work, John could only sleep for a few hours at a time.
During the day, John would do his best to find places to stay warm.
“I’d go to a coffee shop, and buy a small coffee – the most I could afford. I would stay as long as I could before I would get the looks from staff and customers that told me it was time to leave.”
John’s path took him to House of Friendship’s ShelterCare program, where 100 men struggling with homelessness get help every day, including onsite health-care, mental health, and addiction support.
Here, thanks to your faithful care and compassion, men like John get the chance to leave homelessness behind for good by starting their journeys in a place that’s warm and supportive.
John never expected to be homeless. He worked hard for 25 years, driving a forklift and making a decent living. John was married, had a nice house, and was raising his family. When John’s marriage suddenly ended, his life changed in a heartbeat.
John found himself out on the street, and had nowhere to go.
Can you imagine what that feels like? To know you have nowhere to go, after spending years building a family and life that felt safe and certain?
“I was 54 years old and homeless. There’s nothing quite like that fear,” said John.
At first, John continued to work.
“I was grasping so hard to keep the life I knew,” said John. “But not being able to sleep for more than two hours at a time made it impossible to work. I just couldn’t keep up. It wasn’t long before I started making mistakes, before accidents started to happen. I wasn’t really surprised when I lost my job.”
John found out about some services in the community – where he could get a shower, and a meal or two.
“I was so grateful for these moments of respite, these moments where I could catch my breath,” said John. “But it wasn’t the same as having a safe place to live.”
It was eight months before John found that safe place, at House of Friendship’s ShelterCare program.
For the first time in nearly a year, John had a bed of his own. He had a safe place in his room to put his belongings, and he could have a shower whenever he wanted. He also had people to talk to. People who cared and who listened.
“It was so wonderful to have four solid walls around me, to know I had a place to stay,” said John. “But I soon learned that there was more than just a roof at ShelterCare.”
John enjoyed activities like Coffee and Conversation, held a few times a week. It was a chance for John to get to know other guys in the shelter, hear their stories, and feel less alone.
John received help to look for an apartment – and fill out all the forms that come with getting on the subsidized housing wait list.
He also benefitted from the onsite health-care at ShelterCare. John didn’t have to find his own doctor, and for the first time in nearly a year, he received the insulin he needed to treat his diabetes.
As John started to feel healthier, he began volunteering, sharing that it felt good to give back.
“When I was done sweeping the hall or tidying up the dining room, I felt like I’d accomplished something that day.”
“I am thankful to not be out there this winter – to not have to find different ways to warm up when the temperature is below 30 degrees,” said John. “But I know the tents on Victoria Street and Weber are still out there, and there are other guys just like me who need a place to stay. Need someone to care about them. And we really need your help.”
Your faithful, caring support makes it possible for men like John to not only have a safe, warm place to stay, but to get the essential help they need to begin again. Thank you!
