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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.
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"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.