March 2015 Newsletter

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To Start My Life Over Again

Larry is a native of south county. After graduating from high school, he did a full stint of military service, first with the National Guard then active duty in the Army. When he returned home, he worked many years in a wood products company. He married, had children and provided them a home. When a divorce broke up their family, Larry’s choice of suppressant for the ensuing depression was to put in all the overtime available at work. He said that he was so busy and then tired, it kept his mind off his broken home. His work therapy lasted until his employer brought automation into the plant. Machinery replaced many employees, including Larry. He could replace the job, but he had not really dealt with the relationship loss. He was suddenly, really disconnected.

He sought redemption in the workplace, but was met with disappointment and frustration. He had trouble transitioning from millwork to other types of available work. Unemployed, he went to live with a sister, but was unable to stay long because of guidelines about the number of occupants in an apartment. He surfed the couches of friends until the tensions became too great. When the mix of people changed in the last place he stayed, he said, “I had to leave. I was on the streets. I had a blanket and my bags. I found a place by the railroad tracks in some brush and trees.” Then our native son was just surviving. He had food stamps, bathed in the river, went to the library. He was very discouraged.

“I had seen the Mission, driving by it for years. But I didn’t know what the Mission was. I heard about a guy staying here, but I never thought about what the Mission did. Other guys would eat here. I didn’t know the situation. One day after 3 or 4 weeks, I got tired of it. It was going to start raining. I grabbed my bags and came on down. I came to the Mission to start my life over again. I was off the street, not alone, not thrown away. I could keep my head, meet people, make friends, have connections,” Larry said.

When hope was restored, he diligently went about the task of finding a job. He went to the Employment Department, Umpqua Training and Employment and temporary employment agencies. They helped him with his resume, job applications and using a computer. Larry’s opportunity came through a temporary employment agency, a simple 4 hour job unloading trucks. A couple of days later, the same company had an opening for a 10 day job, that included pulling customer orders off shelves for shipping. They liked his work so much that they offered him a full-time job. When his contract with the agency is up, he will be working directly for his new employer.

Larry said that he needed to know that he was not alone. “Its not the end of the world. Tomorrow is a new day. I have hope for myself. I can be better. There’s still a lot of good out there for me.”

He said, “I enjoy chapel; the best part is the different providers, the different messages. I believe in God. I have encouragement and hope.” He said the Mission helped to take his focus off of himself and put it on other people and emotionally put his head above water.