You Lifted James Out Of Homelessness
He was homeless in Union Station, wondering, Where do I go from here? . . .
“Homelessness is a pill no one ever wants to swallow,” says James. “But it happened to me. It just takes the right amount of wrong circumstances.”
For James, those circumstances were losing his mom . . . and his home.
James was living with his mother as her full-time caregiver. So when she passed away, he had no job to fall back on. “We had to sell the home, and I became homeless,” he says.
In perfect timing, a neighbor connected James with the Mission. He went through the Fresh Start program, secured a full-time job and got his own apartment. James was finally regaining his footing . . . until he lost his job. Eviction came knocking. And James found himself homeless—again.
“I was spending my days in Union Station, wondering, where do I go from here?” Because you give, James knew where he could find stabilizing help in his crisis.
“When I came back to the Mission, I was penniless,” he says. “I didn’t have anything but my clothes and my pity.”
“BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS”
As James walked through the Mission’s doors for a second time, all shame melted away. “No one gets turned away here, regardless of their situation,” says James. “That means a lot to a person who has no one.”
Because you give, James had access to every tool and resource he needed. He received a culinary certificate through DC Central Kitchen and, today, works full-time at Mission Muffins as a baker.
“Coming out with a certificate in your hand makes a difference in society,” he says. “I believe in my heart God has bigger and better things for me to accomplish.”
The Spiritual Transformation program—made possible by your generosity—equipped James to build a firm foundation on Christ. Daily, he “taps into the Bible” and gets to grow in Christ-centered community.
“If you were on the outside seeking spiritual counseling, it would cost you a fortune. But here you get it for free,” says James.
To you, James says thank you. He plans to one day give alongside you.
“Without the Mission, I’d be hopping from family member to family member,” says James. “But I’m independent. This place is a great kickstart in the right direction without being on the street, in a tent or under a bridge. Thank you so much for giving.”