There were multiple factors that contributed to my journey out of homelessness. The most important factor is one with three parts: me, myself, and I.

Without the desire and the drive to better myself and my conditions, I would still be homeless today. It takes courage, strength, determination, and humility to rise above this plight in society. I had all of that. And more.

I came to NC fleeing a messy divorce on a wing and a prayer. I had an investor friend in Huntington, WV, and he told me he had a friend here who needed a roofing crew because he had an overload of contracts. So I got the crew together and headed south with high hopes.

Unfortunately those hopes were quickly dashed because the man I was working for was a crook, and within two weeks he disappeared with everyone’s money and fled the state. He didn’t even have a contractors license. Well I had to spend every dime I had to send my crew back to WV which left me stuck and broke with nowhere to go. I tried the shelter uptown but I could only handle that place for three days.

I earned some quick money handing out Nature Valley Granola Bars and bought a tent and a sleeping bag. I did this and then I landed a job at a diner and with their help I moved into a place within two months of working there. Unfortunately the restaurant was mismanaged and started falling apart. Right when that place was ending I found Speak Up. Now I earn money selling Speak Up and rent a stable place to live. It is never far from my mind how close I am to being back on those streets.

There are more experiences than I can truly count of my time homeless. I will attempt to scratch the surface for you though. Let me first explain that unless you experience it yourself, I don’t believe you can ever fully understand.