Dear Volunteers of America
In these difficult times, it’s inspiring to hear a story about someone who has taken the opportunity to turn their life around for the better. The following is a first-person account of someone served by Volunteers of America.
“It's been one year since I first contacted you, and I would like to inform you of all that has taken place since that lost night.
“I wasn’t sure what, if anything, would happen. I had been down a long time. But you not only helped me find a place to live, but stayed by me as support for the last year.
“Once I moved in to the new place I felt so relieved, but I couldn't seem to shake a rundown feeling I had. I went to the doctor and was told my tonsils needed to be removed and there was a lump in my throat behind the tonsils. Because I had a stable place to live I was able to have the surgery and not worry about how or where my daughter would be. It took me about a month to recover. Next I went to therapy to get a handle on my depression. I was starting to feel that maybe I could find my way back, that there really might be a light at the end of the tunnel.
“After about four months, my body was much stronger and so was my mind. My daughter had always been a good kid, but she was now a happy good kid.
“In November, after three year of unemployment, I GOT A JOB! That made me feel at least 10 feet tall. But that's not all. In January I began my first semester as a full-time student in community college. I finished my first semester with three A's and a B. Now I feel 10 feet tall inside.
“One year ago, I was homeless and sleeping wherever my daughter and I could. My health was also not good. Today, I feel good inside and out, mentally and physically. I am somebody again and I have learned to love me again. My daughter will graduate from high school next year; she has a 3.8 overall grade point average and ranks number 9 in her class. The following year I will graduate with an associate’s degree in criminal justice.
“Thank you giving me hope, a place to live, peace of mind and an opportunity to heal. Thank you for holding me up so that I could go find and take back my life. Someone told me once that if you can just reach one person, then the journey was worth it. If you never reach another, know that you have reached me and I will never forget.”
