"When my father died, he left enough money to take care of the family. I was living at home and paying rent, but my mother brought her two sisters in to live with us and then upped my rent. Them being there caused a lot of problems. They liked to party, and that’s how they spent the money---rather than on things for the family. I told Mama that she was just being used, but she wouldn’t listen. She had always told me I wouldn’t amount to anything, that I was stupid and dumb, and so she put me out of the house. I had always been there for her, but she chose her sisters over me. Her rejection hurt a lot. I cried so much and tried to figure out what I did wrong, but after all this time, I know it wasn’t really me.
"When she put me out I lost my job because I didn’t have anywhere to live and I couldn’t keep myself or my clothes clean. I had soap, a toothbrush, and toothpaste, so I went to gas stations and took birdbaths in the restrooms. I slept in abandoned houses, abandoned buildings, in cars, under bridges, behind gas stations, and in dumpsters. Sometimes other street people would offer me food and shelter, but mostly I kept to myself. For 7 years, I was on the streets and it was rough. I’ve been shot at, and I’ve been cold and hungry. In the winters, churches gave out coats and blankets and sleeping bags, so I’d bundle up and make myself a pallet in an abandoned house. I dug through dumpsters to find food to eat. Used to, I wouldn’t admit that, but I don’t mind now. God has brought me to a better place. Things started to change when I met Dr. June Averyt. She helped me through the process of applying for transitional housing and other services, including disability for an illness I have. I’m in permanent housing now and doing much better. I’ve been volunteering at Outreach Housing & Community [an organization founded and directed by Dr. June Averyt] since 2013. I put in 34 hours here every week.
"Mama lives in another state now. I call her now and then and try to say something nice, but I still get the putdowns. When that starts, I just hang up. I don’t need that.
"Eleventh grade was as far as I got in school. I’d been saying for a long time that I wanted to go back and finish, so I finally gathered my courage and took the courses online. Two weeks ago I received the letter of completion, and my high school diploma’s on the way! I’ve been through a lot, but I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me. God's had my back the whole time."
"When she put me out I lost my job because I didn’t have anywhere to live and I couldn’t keep myself or my clothes clean. I had soap, a toothbrush, and toothpaste, so I went to gas stations and took birdbaths in the restrooms. I slept in abandoned houses, abandoned buildings, in cars, under bridges, behind gas stations, and in dumpsters. Sometimes other street people would offer me food and shelter, but mostly I kept to myself. For 7 years, I was on the streets and it was rough. I’ve been shot at, and I’ve been cold and hungry. In the winters, churches gave out coats and blankets and sleeping bags, so I’d bundle up and make myself a pallet in an abandoned house. I dug through dumpsters to find food to eat. Used to, I wouldn’t admit that, but I don’t mind now. God has brought me to a better place. Things started to change when I met Dr. June Averyt. She helped me through the process of applying for transitional housing and other services, including disability for an illness I have. I’m in permanent housing now and doing much better. I’ve been volunteering at Outreach Housing & Community [an organization founded and directed by Dr. June Averyt] since 2013. I put in 34 hours here every week.
"Mama lives in another state now. I call her now and then and try to say something nice, but I still get the putdowns. When that starts, I just hang up. I don’t need that.
"Eleventh grade was as far as I got in school. I’d been saying for a long time that I wanted to go back and finish, so I finally gathered my courage and took the courses online. Two weeks ago I received the letter of completion, and my high school diploma’s on the way! I’ve been through a lot, but I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me. God's had my back the whole time."
From the OHC website: Outreach Housing & Community is a non-profit organization that seeks to build relationships to end homelessness. Our goal is helping homeless individuals regain their dignity by returning to self-sufficiency and independence through a range of social services and community integration.
Outreach Housing & Community is located at 135 N. Cleveland.
- Website: http://www.ohcinc.org
- FB: https://www.facebook.com/OHCMEMPHIS
- Phone: 901-725-9005
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