When I met Chris a few days ago, he told me I had cared for him more than anyone has in years. I bought him a cheeseburger, a milkshake, and a motel for a night. I gave him a company t-shirt and offered him a small job cleaning my windows once a week. The kindness my customers have shown him has inspired me to reach out to others for advice/help. He said since I gave him a job, people have been much nicer to him. While I gave him a small task to give him a little hope, even cleaning windows is very difficult for Chris. He just kept telling me that he wants to make me proud and thanking me for helping him even though he wasn’t a professional.
Chris is a kind, Godly man who was born and raised in Lake County, Florida. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and multiple other injuries that left him disabled. Although he has been approved for disability, Chris cannot access his benefits because he lacks an ID, Social Security card, and a safe address to receive his mail. He has been homeless since at least 2020, and sleeping outside has led to the theft of all his belongings except the clothes on his back.
Despite reaching out to every available resource, finding help for Chris has been incredibly discouraging. There are no homeless shelters in Lake County, and simply trying to stay out of the heat or rest in public places has resulted in arrests for trespassing, making his situation even more difficult.
Financial support will help Chris obtain the documents he needs to access assistance, including an ID, Social Security card, and a PO box. The funds will also go directly toward ensuring Chris has shelter, food, and transportation. These essentials will give him a chance to rebuild his life and move toward with stability.
What I’d personally like to share about Chris:
- He also asked if he could please listen to his favorite song on my phone: Forever After All by Luke Combs. He said he doesn’t get to hear it very often. That moment put into perspective for me that we take so many small things for granted every day.
- I sat down with him on the sidewalk and just asked him about himself, and he thanked me for talking to him.
Your support can help Chris find hope and stability. It could help me find his family. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference in his life. If you’ve made it this far, thank you for taking the time.
-Jessica Andrews
RJ's Dirty Laundry