real Stories
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real life stories
The perils of being homeless in our society are real and frightening. We have lost some young females to human trafficking, some to hit-and-runs late at night, others to drug overdoses. Below are a few of the real life stories that the director of TEAM WORKZ has encountered firsthand.
PODCASTS
MEET ALLISON AND JUSTIN
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Meet Allison and Justin from Johnston and Wayne counties. They met through Facebook and had their first date at Food Lion.
Allison did have her own house prior to meeting Justin, but she ran into difficulties negotiating life with the father of her two children and eventually lost her home. Although she was devastated by the decision to have her children move in temporarily with their father, she knew it was the best she could offer until she got back on her feet. When she met Justin, they moved in together to a trailer at his mom’s house, but it had no water, the front entrance didn’t close, there was an issue with snakes getting inside … but they roughed it out until Justin’s mother had an episode with drink and kicked them out. By this time Allison was four months pregnant. They lived in a car and showered at his uncle’s house while they both looked for work. They eventually found a place to rent but it had no heat, no AC, various plumbing issues and the landlord was unwilling to make any repairs. They were kicked out just after Christmas. That is when they moved to Sanford to get help from Allison’s dad while the baby was being born. All the while the pair continued to look for employment while also researching organizations that would lend them a helping hand, which eventually led them to TEAM WORKZ. |
Now through the coordination of resources sourced through TEAM WORKZ, and with the help of many generous donors, the couple has found a place to live. “We’ve never been in anything like the place we are in now,” said Alison. “It’s calming and relaxing. We feel safe. So many people have donated so many items for us. We have furniture, clothes, dishes, diapers for the baby … we’ve received food cards, gas cards. Working with TEAM WORKZ has made me realize how many good people there are in the world who are selfless and willing to help. The experience has made me believe in humanity. It’s beautiful.”
Alison now has a job as a server at LongHorn Steakhouse. She finished high school and would like to return to school for a degree in cosmetology.
Justin is working in construction. He hopes to return to school to get his GED and possibly enter a welding program. When asked how he felt about the experience with TEAM WORKZ, he said, “I have hope now. I feel like I can do anything. This experience has made me push forward because I feel like we are going forward, not standing still. I feel like I have someone in my corner cheering me on.”
The couple works opposite shifts so there is always someone home to look after the baby. They will eventually need help with childcare as they increase their working hours.
When asked about their dreams for the future, both mentioned increasing their credit scores so they can eventually get a mortgage and buy a home of their own. Allison also hopes she can be financially independent in a year’s time so her two children can be returned to her and her family can be complete.
Alison now has a job as a server at LongHorn Steakhouse. She finished high school and would like to return to school for a degree in cosmetology.
Justin is working in construction. He hopes to return to school to get his GED and possibly enter a welding program. When asked how he felt about the experience with TEAM WORKZ, he said, “I have hope now. I feel like I can do anything. This experience has made me push forward because I feel like we are going forward, not standing still. I feel like I have someone in my corner cheering me on.”
The couple works opposite shifts so there is always someone home to look after the baby. They will eventually need help with childcare as they increase their working hours.
When asked about their dreams for the future, both mentioned increasing their credit scores so they can eventually get a mortgage and buy a home of their own. Allison also hopes she can be financially independent in a year’s time so her two children can be returned to her and her family can be complete.
MEET GEORGE HACKNEY
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Hi, I’m George, and I was fully employed with a private security firm before being let go due to downsizing. I was the last one hired, so the first one fired. I looked for another job for months, until I got behind on bills and was evicted. I did have some savings sets aside, but all that went to support my two girls.
Once I lost my home, I lived for 8 months in a parking lot in the car my father left to me. The car’s tags were expired and mechanically it needed work that I couldn’t afford, but it did provide me with shelter. But sometimes I would go 14-15 days without food. As a result of the stress of being homeless, I felt the darkness kicking in, the pressure taking over and I had a heart attack. The day I got out of the hospital and returned to my car, Cliff happened to be checking in on the unsheltered in the area, saw the hospital band on my wrist and thankfully took an interest in my story. He brought me to headquarters where I was able to get some food and water, and talk with people about my situation. It felt so good to be back in society, I eventually found my way to TEAM WORKZ headquarters on a regular basis. The staff helped me get food stamps and Medicaid, which meant I could get refills on the medication I was taking before I lost my job. |
Now I volunteer for TEAM WORKZ as a Director of Development and Growth. I am living in a rental subsidized by TEAM WORKZ, I have enough food to eat, and I have access to needed medications and treatment due to my ongoing health issues. By far the greatest thing about my situation now is regaining my self-dignity, self-respect, and feeling worthy of equal treatment from society. I can stand up in front of 50 people and tell my story and feel that I’m heard, not judged. TEAM WORKZ has restored my faith in humanity and opened my eyes to levels of despair far worse than my own, which makes me even more determined to help TEAM WORKZ continue with their mission to eradicate homelessness.
"K" and his wife
"K" is a homeless veteran who suffered from PTSD and addiction. He called TEAM WORKZ for assistance when their mobile home burned down and they lost everything. He and his pregnant wife were sleeping in their truck until it broke down and left them with no transportation and no way to get to work.
TEAM WORKZ provided "K" and his wife with a new tent, sleeping bags, cookware, utensils, clothing, hygiene items, food, tarps, and camping gear. We also helped them find a campground where they could pitch their tent and we registered "K" with a therapy program for PTSD.
"K" and his wife worked for a contractor who was giving them a ride to work, but they lost their jobs due to cutbacks. "K"'s PTSD also became a growing issue as the stress of living homeless and trying to provide for his wife increased. He sometimes had to leave the tent to sleep outside for fear of hurting his wife at night when the nightmares of battles would haunt him. His health was severe enough that his wife had to help him shower and get dressed each day.
Then six months later his wife miscarried, they were told they had to leave the campground, and their phones were cut off. We lost touch with them around that time. What can we do more to help people like this?
TEAM WORKZ provided "K" and his wife with a new tent, sleeping bags, cookware, utensils, clothing, hygiene items, food, tarps, and camping gear. We also helped them find a campground where they could pitch their tent and we registered "K" with a therapy program for PTSD.
"K" and his wife worked for a contractor who was giving them a ride to work, but they lost their jobs due to cutbacks. "K"'s PTSD also became a growing issue as the stress of living homeless and trying to provide for his wife increased. He sometimes had to leave the tent to sleep outside for fear of hurting his wife at night when the nightmares of battles would haunt him. His health was severe enough that his wife had to help him shower and get dressed each day.
Then six months later his wife miscarried, they were told they had to leave the campground, and their phones were cut off. We lost touch with them around that time. What can we do more to help people like this?
Salesman
An elderly gentleman (78) lost his apartment because his social security check was no longer able to cover his rent. The temperatures were around freezing at that time, and he was forced to sleep on the ground in the nearby woods. TEAM WORKZ paid for a two-week stay in a hotel as we looked for somewhere more permanent for him to stay. One of our community partners took him in so he could have a warm bed, a place to shower, and food to eat. He called TEAM WORKZ almost daily to thank us for getting his accommodations. Two weeks later he died during the night. His health was not the best, and living in the woods worsened his conditions.
This man was once the top SAAB salesman in America and had run a financial business in later years. His life changed when his wife died and the hospital bills left him in debt. You just never know who is on the street homeless when you meet them.
This man was once the top SAAB salesman in America and had run a financial business in later years. His life changed when his wife died and the hospital bills left him in debt. You just never know who is on the street homeless when you meet them.
"m" SINGLE MOTHER
"M" is a single mother who lost her job and her home due to the pandemic. She and her two children were living in their car until they found TEAM WORKZ. We provided them with a wee's stay at a hotel, which was the first time in six months they slept in beds.
"M" started working part-time at a restaurant, which earned her enough for food and gas. She couldn't work full-time because she had to transport both children to two different schools each day, there and back. (Teenage girls her daughter's age are at a high risk of human trafficking, especially if they are known to be homeless.)
After that first week, they spent every night trying to find a safe place where they could sleep in their car. The homeless are constantly under threat of being attacked, harassed, or being told to move on by the police. Even churches and businesses have been unwilling to allow vehicles in their parking lots overnight.
"M" called TEAM WORKZ and asked for help paying a deposit and the first month's rent for a rental she found available outside of town. Due to a lack of funding, we were unable to provide the funds, and we have since lost contact. At that time the three of them had been living our of their car for 10 months. What kind of mental scars will these children carry and for how long?
"M" started working part-time at a restaurant, which earned her enough for food and gas. She couldn't work full-time because she had to transport both children to two different schools each day, there and back. (Teenage girls her daughter's age are at a high risk of human trafficking, especially if they are known to be homeless.)
After that first week, they spent every night trying to find a safe place where they could sleep in their car. The homeless are constantly under threat of being attacked, harassed, or being told to move on by the police. Even churches and businesses have been unwilling to allow vehicles in their parking lots overnight.
"M" called TEAM WORKZ and asked for help paying a deposit and the first month's rent for a rental she found available outside of town. Due to a lack of funding, we were unable to provide the funds, and we have since lost contact. At that time the three of them had been living our of their car for 10 months. What kind of mental scars will these children carry and for how long?
young man
A young man who dropped out of school and got involved with drugs ended up being abandoned by his family. He was arrested on several occasions, homeless, and faced jail time. TEAM WORKZ helped to get him placed in a drug rehab program. He came out of the program wanting to make something of his life. His goals were to go back to school and further his education. He talked about having a life and a family one day. His entire outlook had changed. We helped him find a job and he excelled. He eventually found a place to stay and moved away. If it were not for our help, he could have easily ended up like so many others we have helped and lost.