August 2019 Newsletter

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A Sense of Community

$600 rent per month, on a 25 foot fifth wheel trailer, was Nick’s housing expense. Without a current job, it was very difficult to find any place. At best, that is a 200 square foot home, costing $3 per foot. At that rate, a 600 square foot apartment would rent for $1,800 per month, and have better amenities. That is a tight housing market! His trailer was only equipped with a travel sized refrigerator and stove, a toilet, and a shower closet. It was old enough to have a cassette player in the built-in radio. Utilities were paid, but the propane heater did not work, causing him to use an electric space heater. There was no laundry facility in the trailer park. However, he did have community, a neighborhood.

Nick’s sister, her husband and four children, live locally, but their small home has no room for him. He was married for just a few years, divorced now about seven years, has had no children, nor other long term relationships. He has no addictions, depression, medications, nor military service.

After paying motel rent for a month, Nick was glad to find that trailer as a more affordable alternative. There are rooms for rent in the community, but the time on waiting lists would have drained his savings even faster. Between using his bank account and doing day labor, he stayed in the trailer nine long, persistent months. Nick is 55 years old and apparently not considered a candidate for long term employment in the minimum wage service industry. Some very physical labor jobs also limited his options. He took classes at the Employment Department, utilized temporary employment agencies, and contacted businesses directly. Finally, he landed a job using his cell phone internet applying to a retail store. He works 24 hours per week at $12.50 per hour, receiving freight at night. And he was happy to get it.

Before Nick got that job, he ran out of money to pay the trailer rent. He was not going to live in his car, nor become a homeless camper. He had no desire to isolate; he just wanted an opportunity. Employment and housing were his goals, so he went to the Mission, where there are available beds and services. Now, he can save money and wait for the right housing option for him.

Homeless campers need to enter the Mission for recovery and rehabilitation, before they will be ready for employment and/or independent housing.

About 12 years ago, Nick went forward in his church and made a public commitment of faith in the Lord. He said that he is different now, a new person, having “joy, happiness, contentment, the pressure released, more calm, and prayer.” Mission chapel services are a welcomed part of his day, an affirmation of his belief. The Mission community is a part of his sense of belonging that he did not want to lose.