- J
- J
I am writing with an update on our friend Morris Porter, whom many of you helped when he was hit by a train in Durham in January.
Life has not been without challenges in the last 10 months, but Morris is a survivor. After months of medical treatments and rehab, he is able to work again but with limitations on physical labor, which has greatly impacted his options. He works odd jobs and his friend April has a steady but low-wage part-time position as a CNA. They have managed to maintain a home for themselves and her two children despite serious poverty, though every dollar is precious and managing the bills is always a challenge.
The money many of you contributed in February was a tremendous help during the time he could not work at all, especially since there was no financial assistance from the train company. I am happy that Morris does not have problems with drugs or alcohol; his big problems are getting past judicial involvement in previous stages of his life and just plain old poverty. He continues to stay close with Tom and me and a circle of friends at Trinity Ave Presbyterian Church who have walked with him for 2 1/2 years now. He is a good man who is trying hard to follow a better path in life.
For multiple reasons I won't go into, Morris and April need to move to an apartment which will cost less and be close to her job. Coming up with the deposit, first month's rent, utility deposits, and a rental truck are major barriers. Tom and I will continue to help them every month with work to support about half their rent cost, but the upfront costs are beyond what we can do on our own.
In the middle of the night it occurred to me to reach out to some of Morris's friends from church and our friends who gave to his GoFundMe page last winter to see if you could join us in helping them get started in the new apartment. I will help them manage whatever funds are contributed to be sure they go as far as possible. There are two children involved and I don't want to see them end up at a shelter. I believe we will be doing the right thing in helping them get restarted in a better environment.
Thank you so much for anything you can do to help. If you know of work he could do, please let me know about that as well.
Susan Ross
Life has not been without challenges in the last 10 months, but Morris is a survivor. After months of medical treatments and rehab, he is able to work again but with limitations on physical labor, which has greatly impacted his options. He works odd jobs and his friend April has a steady but low-wage part-time position as a CNA. They have managed to maintain a home for themselves and her two children despite serious poverty, though every dollar is precious and managing the bills is always a challenge.
The money many of you contributed in February was a tremendous help during the time he could not work at all, especially since there was no financial assistance from the train company. I am happy that Morris does not have problems with drugs or alcohol; his big problems are getting past judicial involvement in previous stages of his life and just plain old poverty. He continues to stay close with Tom and me and a circle of friends at Trinity Ave Presbyterian Church who have walked with him for 2 1/2 years now. He is a good man who is trying hard to follow a better path in life.
For multiple reasons I won't go into, Morris and April need to move to an apartment which will cost less and be close to her job. Coming up with the deposit, first month's rent, utility deposits, and a rental truck are major barriers. Tom and I will continue to help them every month with work to support about half their rent cost, but the upfront costs are beyond what we can do on our own.
In the middle of the night it occurred to me to reach out to some of Morris's friends from church and our friends who gave to his GoFundMe page last winter to see if you could join us in helping them get started in the new apartment. I will help them manage whatever funds are contributed to be sure they go as far as possible. There are two children involved and I don't want to see them end up at a shelter. I believe we will be doing the right thing in helping them get restarted in a better environment.
Thank you so much for anything you can do to help. If you know of work he could do, please let me know about that as well.
Susan Ross