Donation protected
In the fall of 2013, I walked by the same homeless man every morning on my metro commute. He never asked for anything–just smiled. But his smile caught my attention and, after a few weeks, I introduced myself to Chris. Worried about the approaching winter, I asked Chris if he needed anything. He said gloves and a hat would help.
Chris came to the US from Jamaica as a contortionist in the Barnum and Bailey circus. Later, he worked at a car wash that required a driver’s license, but when his cataracts got so bad that he failed his driving test, he lost the job. Exorbitant DC rent quickly left him homeless. Further, his intellectual disability and poor vision (for which there is no surgical solution) disqualifies him from virtually any job, and made homelessness impossible to fix on his own. Because he felt uncomfortable at homeless shelters, Chris slept on a concrete slab by the Bethesda metro station every night for over ten years.
When Thanksgiving approached, I told my parents that I wanted to bring Chris home for a couple of days. Although hesitant at first, they agreed. (Fast-forward: he now spends every holiday with us!) That Thanksgiving, Chris was able to shower, wash his clothes, eat three meals a day, and sleep on a bed. My family quickly fell in love with him. The idea of returning Chris to the metro to sleep on concrete indefinitely was intolerable, so I spent the next several months investigating housing options and meeting with a Catholic Charities case worker. With only a small monthly income due to his intellectual disability, regular housing was not an option in DC. Unfortunately, the waitlists for subsidized housing are incredibly long; in some cases, the predicted wait time is over forty years.
Eventually, I found Chris a room in a run-down house, two miles from the closest bus stop, but it was still so expensive that he barely had money for food. This summer, Chris had to move when the landlord decided to sell. He’s currently sleeping on the couch of a couple he’s known since the circus, but that’s short term: they live in a three bedroom apartment with six children. Chris and I have both come to the realization that subsidized housing is the only way he can afford shelter, public transportation, and food.
I recently discovered that here in South Bend, Indiana–where I’m a Notre Dame grad student–subsidized housing waitlists aren’t long. Although leaving DC is not ideal, Chris has signed a lease for a subsidized, one bedroom apartment here in South Bend. The facility houses low-income seniors (Chris is in his mid-sixties), and seems to have a vibrant community life. The office of the community’s social worker is directly across from his new apartment. The social worker will help Chris and me with all aspects of his transition.
Chris and I will drive out to Indiana on January 3rd and begin moving him into his new home. This is where YOU come in! Currently, all of Chris’ possessions fit into a small duffle bag. He needs furniture, a vacuum cleaner, and some new clothes. So, I’m hoping to raise $3,500 dollars to cover these costs. Whether you can donate $25 or $1,000, it is all greatly appreciated. Please keep Chris in your prayers, as this transition will not be an easy one.
It’s been an honor to offer Chris some assistance as a thank you for all that he’s taught me about gratitude, kindness, and trust in God. Chris is the kindest person I know and a true friend.
Chris came to the US from Jamaica as a contortionist in the Barnum and Bailey circus. Later, he worked at a car wash that required a driver’s license, but when his cataracts got so bad that he failed his driving test, he lost the job. Exorbitant DC rent quickly left him homeless. Further, his intellectual disability and poor vision (for which there is no surgical solution) disqualifies him from virtually any job, and made homelessness impossible to fix on his own. Because he felt uncomfortable at homeless shelters, Chris slept on a concrete slab by the Bethesda metro station every night for over ten years.
When Thanksgiving approached, I told my parents that I wanted to bring Chris home for a couple of days. Although hesitant at first, they agreed. (Fast-forward: he now spends every holiday with us!) That Thanksgiving, Chris was able to shower, wash his clothes, eat three meals a day, and sleep on a bed. My family quickly fell in love with him. The idea of returning Chris to the metro to sleep on concrete indefinitely was intolerable, so I spent the next several months investigating housing options and meeting with a Catholic Charities case worker. With only a small monthly income due to his intellectual disability, regular housing was not an option in DC. Unfortunately, the waitlists for subsidized housing are incredibly long; in some cases, the predicted wait time is over forty years.
Eventually, I found Chris a room in a run-down house, two miles from the closest bus stop, but it was still so expensive that he barely had money for food. This summer, Chris had to move when the landlord decided to sell. He’s currently sleeping on the couch of a couple he’s known since the circus, but that’s short term: they live in a three bedroom apartment with six children. Chris and I have both come to the realization that subsidized housing is the only way he can afford shelter, public transportation, and food.
I recently discovered that here in South Bend, Indiana–where I’m a Notre Dame grad student–subsidized housing waitlists aren’t long. Although leaving DC is not ideal, Chris has signed a lease for a subsidized, one bedroom apartment here in South Bend. The facility houses low-income seniors (Chris is in his mid-sixties), and seems to have a vibrant community life. The office of the community’s social worker is directly across from his new apartment. The social worker will help Chris and me with all aspects of his transition.
Chris and I will drive out to Indiana on January 3rd and begin moving him into his new home. This is where YOU come in! Currently, all of Chris’ possessions fit into a small duffle bag. He needs furniture, a vacuum cleaner, and some new clothes. So, I’m hoping to raise $3,500 dollars to cover these costs. Whether you can donate $25 or $1,000, it is all greatly appreciated. Please keep Chris in your prayers, as this transition will not be an easy one.
It’s been an honor to offer Chris some assistance as a thank you for all that he’s taught me about gratitude, kindness, and trust in God. Chris is the kindest person I know and a true friend.
Organizer
Natasha Fredericks
Organizer
Green Valley, MD