Over the last year, I've gotten to know Michael really, really well.
We met because of the Speak Up writing community weekly workshop—which brings together homeless and non-homeless people. We gather at the main library in Rock Hill, SC, to write, read aloud, and share tears, laughter, and friendship. It has become a beautiful and dynamic community of friends.
During that time, I've heard many dozens of pieces from Michael—tens of thousands of words of his story—about his journey with family, work, faith, health; about his battle with homelessness, and his aspirations for the future.
We don't ask people to identify if they are homeless or not: over time, as we grow in trust, the contours of our lives become clear through our writing.
This is a man that I love and believe in and I'm certain that his best years are truly ahead.
Here’s a picture, not just of Michael, but of many attendees of a recent workshop:
He has a need
Michael been in a stable local shelter situation for the last year as he has worked on and off and tried to save for the next big step.
But his time at the shelter abruptly ended two weeks ago.
He didn't do anything wrong. In fact, he was a model citizen at the shelter. That didn't matter. They wanted to make room for others.
“You are graduating from the shelter,” they told him.
Except his “graduation” is an eviction back onto the streets for the first time in over a year. It's not a graduation that he wants or that anyone wants for him. It's a step backwards.
“Don't call it a graduation,” he said to them. “I'm not moving upward to something better.”
He applied to another shelter. Filled out the paperwork. Made the calls. Went to an interview. “Not a good fit,” they told him.
So right now he's in a messy, foggy in-between and trying to keep his chin above water. Last week one of the other writing community members who isn't homeless stepped in and covered a week at an extended stay hotel. A beautiful, generous gift! The power of friendship. But that week runs out tomorrow.
We want him to stay off the streets, so I'm asking if you'd contribute to a giving campaign to cover his motel housing for the next month while he regroups and looks for a more stable situation.
“I have every intention of finding a job,” Michael said. “Actually there's one I did in the past that I'm looking into, but because of this unexpected change it's tough.”
Can you help today? It's urgent.
Like I said, I know Michael—I'm vouching for him, he's a friend: kind, thoughtful, and an asset to any community he joins.
Thank you,
Matt Shaw
Executive Director
Sending so much love and compassion! Praying for a solution for Michael💕🙏💕