Stories from the Street
A Degree of Faith Click to open / Click to close
A Degree of Faith A few years ago, an older professional secretary came from a women’s shelter into the HELP II program. “Annie” was not drug-addicted; she was not unable. She had a professional background, presented herself well, and was ready to start her life again. The challenge? She was broke, alone and her skills had grown rusty - when Annie was working in offices, word processors were new! Starting over is never easy. Nevertheless, Annie persevered. She took whatever job she could. The first consistent one was a telemarketing position conducting phone interviews. The business was open seven days a week, and was all the way in East Brainerd. Annie was staying downtown and was dependent on the bus system to get around. The pay was less than she hoped for. Still, Annie accepted the job. As she continued her work, Annie had numerous issues...the bus didn’t run early enough on Sundays - plus, it often ran late, making it hard for her to be at work on time. Then, she had to have emergency surgery. Still, Annie kept trying, taking on more and more responsibility, picking up shifts, working odd hours for pay differentials - whatever she could do to increase her earnings. Meanwhile, Annie was saving money. Within a few months, she was able to secure a controlled-rent apartment. We were able to help her with some furniture and bus fare while she settled. After a month or so, she was entirely on her own. Still, she was determined to succeed. Months passed. Months turned into a year, and Annie continued to better her life. Annie’s triumph is an incredible journey – from becoming homeless and starting over, to achieving a Bachelor’s of Science. She even maintained the same job and apartment all the way through school. Annie, we share your joy! |
Clarence Finds A Job
Clarence finds a job Clarence looked much older than his 54 years. He had lived with his mother and worked off and on until she took sick. Then he quit doing odd jobs to care for her. When she died, he lost his housing. He found that he couldn’t support himself with odd jobs and he had no high school diploma. He was unemployable. He wound up at the Job Placement Center at the Community Kitchen. Those case managers placed him in the HELP (GED) program. He began a course of study preparing to take the GED test. Clarence was a smart man. A quiet soul, he lacked self confidence. Afraid that he would fail, he did not want to risk taking the GED test. Eventually with much encouragement, Clarence took the test and passed it easily. He admitted later that he had only taken the test to please the HELP instructor. In the process, he did please the instructor and himself. He also pleased his new employer. He was a cooperative, responsible worker and an asset to his company. |
JC's First Job
JC’s First Job JC is a 57 year old black male. He is blind in one eye, has an unkempt beard and looks fifteen years beyond his age. He shuffles when he walks, slurs when he talks which makes his speech unclear. He has been a street alcoholic for 20 plus years - the man holding a bottle in one hand and pushing the buggy full of aluminum cans with the other. He came to us after his sister literally picked him up out of the gutter and got him into alcohol and drug treatment at CADAS. In all his life, he had never had a job or an apartment. When we spoke about his future and the things he needed to do, JC would say “I know that’s right.” I accompanied JC to his first job interview in 25 years. He got the job the next week; and two weeks after that, he got his first apartment. JC is a job training and placement miracle. |
Panhandling 101
Panhandling 101: Over the past several months, we’ve noticed a lot of discussion about panhandling. People, rightfully so, are concerned about being asked for money, about the legitimacy of the stories, and about their own personal safety when they refuse to give. We, at the Community Kitchen, share these concerns and would like to share information about panhandling. The issues of homelessness and panhandling should not be confused; they are entirely separate. In fact, many of the issues and crimes often associated with homelessness are inaccurately linked. Working day to day with the homeless as we do, we have a unique perspective. Admittedly, we are not immune to panhandling, sometimes having to deal with it at our own front door. There are thieves among every group; the homeless are no different. However, after studying the sheriff’s records on arrests and investigating those actually seen and caught breaking laws, we can safely state that the vast majority of panhandlers are not homeless, but instead are members of the housed poor; often they are professional panhandlers. We suggest that you never offer money to a panhandler. Find an alternative. Offer information. If someone seeks help, stating they are hungry, direct them to a hot meal. If they ask for help with a place to stay, direct them to a shelter. When you feel the need to help, donate to our cause and direct the individual to us. With your help, we can help those truly in need. The issue of panhandling is serious and difficult to address. As long as people respond to panhandlers, the problem will never go away. In some cases, people are asking for help for legitimate reasons; in most, they are not. As an agency, we have the ability to distinguish between the two. As an individual, it’s difficult. Each time you give to a panhandler, you contribute to the problem. Giving to an agency, and offering information, contributes to a solution.
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Case Managers As Wedding Planners
Case Managers As Wedding Planners A homeless couple, who had been together for The couple came to Brother Ron Fender, BSG (outreach case manager at the Community Kitchen) in a panic. They had no money to pay someone to marry them. Since Ron is a monk, they thought that he could perform the ceremony; but as part of his vows, he is not able to perform rites such as marriage ceremonies. However, Ron was the right person to ask because he immediately went into action. He secured the help of Kathy Long, case manager at the Family Housing and Learning Center, and Jord Field, case manager at the Homeless Health Care Center. It turned out that some of the flowers were arranged by the mother of one of the past Family Housing and Learning Center residents; and, the balloon arranger was Rev. Kidwell’s daughter. No one knew the connections until later. It seems the event was meant to be. The couple had expected to stand in a judge’s chambers or pastor’s office for their vows. But, thanks to a couple of case managers turned wedding planners, a North Shore Church, and several businesses, they enjoyed a wonderful church wedding, a reception with flowers and cake, and a true community event.
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Mrs. D
Mrs. D Mrs. D was a widow and a victim of domestic violence. She was homeless with 4 of her 6 children. During the time she participated in SAFAH she obtained housing and employment. She regained physical custody of her remaining 2 children. Ms. D maintained her employment despite the stress of rearing 6 children, one with mental health issues and ill health resulting in surgery. Since participating in SAFAH, Ms. D has been able to obtain better housing for her family. Ms. D has never wavered in her determination to provide a better life for her children.
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Testimony from a Volunteer
Let me introduce you to a child whose father was an alcoholic. I remember watching alcoholics drop my dad off in front of our house into the ditch, I have no memories of my father when he was not drinking. As a child, we were not allowed to talk to my father. I didn't understand why he would watch the TV Evangelist, Rex Humbard and stretch his hands toward the television, but now I know that it was for his healing. I graduated from Rossville High School in 1964. We moved to Panama City, Florida. We were invited to church and I took my children and went to church. During the church invitation my son ran to the alter and I had heard that they were going to sprinkle something on us to make us dance around so, I went with him like a mother hen. I got saved and we got saved. My son said, “Something went out and something came in.” I can remember always having this feeling inside of me to do right and wrong. I have childhood memories of feeding the chain gang water as they would work on our street. My desire to reach out to hurting people began very early in my life even before I new Jesus Christ. I became a widow in 1989. My husband was killed in an industrial accident. He was there that morning and gone by lunch. The saving grace is that he re-dedicated his life to Christ two weeks prior to his death. You see, he was not terminally ill, this was an accident. He didn't know he was going to die in two weeks. I am so grateful that God knows everything and I will get to see my husband again someday. A few years later my family made their way back to Chattanooga. When I got here I was blessed to get a job at the Salvation Army working as the desk clerk in the transitional housing department. I love working with the homeless! My heart has always had a special place for alcoholics. There are so many hurting people in this world, I feel blessed to have a burden for people in those situations. Ministry has always been a big part of my like and my children's life. I always had a desire to be a missionary and it was not all that long ago that I realized I was a missionary in my everyday life. From the people we took into our home or just shared Thanksgiving dinner with I have always wanted to help hurting people. The last four years of my life have been a series of life changing events. Soon after my granddaughter, Sophie, was born I had to have surgery. I must be honest, I was not sure of God's plan for this surgery. Soon after the surgery I went into kidney failure and had to go on dialysis and retire from working at the Homeless Health Care Center. It felt like I was leaving the mission field not knowing if I would ever be back. After two years and multiple surgeries my son had been told that dialysis was not working for me and I would die without it. My daughter had been trying to convince me to let her give me a kidney, but as a mother, I could not stand the thought of her physically hurting for me. One day my daughter said, “Mom, you gave me life, now let me give you life.” So, on June 22, 2006 I had a kidney transplant. Praise God for life! I have not been on dialysis since! After some time my son and I were able to return to the ministry through volunteerism at the Community Kitchen. I was grateful for the opportunity to once again touch people that need help. At the beginning of this year I was on my way to the Community Kitchen and noticed something not right with my breast. I called the doctor immediately and went on in to the Community Kitchen and in less than a week I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo surgery to remove my breast. I was scheduled to begin Chemotherapy soon after, but my son and I had a car wreck that left me pinned down in the car in a ditch for 2 ½ hours. What I didn't know as I was laying there is that I had a broken hip and ankle and a head injury that would go unnoticed for weeks. But God!! I am walking better and better each week and my mind has been restored by God. He is truly a miracle worker!! I must tell you that I was not able to receive chemotherapy and the cancer was a very rapid form. As I lay in the hospital after the wreck not well enough to understand the extent of my injuries, my children walked in faith that I was healed. Last month I went to my oncologist and he told me I was cancer Free!! My God is a healer. My God is a restorer. My God is faithful. In between all of these trials, my son Rusty and I would go back to the Community Kitchen to volunteer and they always welcomed us back. I also always wanted to write my experiences. How many times has God knocked at your door? How many times has God needed your help? If you are too busy to listen for the voice of God, you are too busy. Lord use me! Thank you Chattanooga Community Kitchen for touching people in need (Matt 25). God Bless You, Becky Lovings |
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Ta and Son
TA and son: TA had lived with domestic abuse for years. Finally she worked up the courage to flee her abuser in 2004. She and her 2 year old son lived in her car for several months. She worked as a mental health technician at Moccasin Bend. She first went into The Chattanooga Room in the Inn Shelter. On October 15, 2004, she and her son became residents of the Family Housing and Learning Center (FHLC) program at the Community Kitchen. TA graduated from FHLC May 15, 2006. When they first entered the FHLC program, TA’s son did not speak. The case managers at FHLC found speech therapy assistance for him. The therapists determined that disabilities were not preventing him from speaking. Rather, not speaking was a result of trauma and social immaturity. Today, after therapy, he is quite verbal. During the year and a half they lived at FHLC, TA divorced her abuser, paid off her bankruptcy and became a home owner through Habitat for Humanity. She moved into her Habitat home in June, 2006. TA has a wonderful faith and support from her church family. No matter what the circumstances, she meets them with a positive attitude. “There is a reason for this,” she says with a rueful smile. “It will work out.”
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Tonya
Tonya
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years and have a son, applied for transitional housing at the Family Housing and Learning Center at the Community Kitchen. One of the admission requirements for this program is a legal marriage, something the couple had always wanted, but never been able to afford. Mariah and David got their license, and thinking that was all they needed, prepared to move into the program. They were shocked to find out they would need to arrange to say their vows before an official as well. 
