A week ago, while I was working at my 2nd job, an elderly woman approached me asking for help finding an item. What I thought would be a quick interaction turned into something I couldn’t walk away from. She is 80 years old and had just driven to Tennessee from California two weeks ago. She is now homeless, living out of her car with nowhere to go. After talking with her, it became clear she may be struggling with memory issues. She shared pieces of her story, including that she has a son in California but she couldn’t remember his phone number because she lost her phone during her journey. I couldn’t let it end there. After searching for 24 hours, I was able to locate her son through her old Facebook page and by contacting the police department in his city. They were able to reach him using numbers they had on file. He had no idea she had left California and had been trying to reach her. While he wants to help and has been helping where he can, he is limited in what he can do financially. She also does not want to return to California. She has expressed that she loves Tennessee and wants to stay.

So instead of forcing her to return, we are both working to find resources for her. Right now, she is safe in a hotel, but this is only temporary and she will be back in sleeping in her car tomorrow Wednesday 3/25. She receives Social Security, but it is not enough to immediately secure housing, and low-income housing in Middle Tennessee has long waitlists.

She also urgently needs medical care and medication that she has run out of. Yes we have been in contact with local shelters that have no room for overnight shelter. I am also assisting in getting her medical care.

I am asking for any support big or small to help her! Main needs are to keep her in a safe place while we search for permanent housing, Cover basic necessities like food, clothing, and transportation, Help with medical visits and prescriptions, Work toward stable, long-term living arrangements.

I am not doing this for recognition or compensation. I truly believe we are called to serve others, and in this moment, this is what that looks like.

If you feel led to give, share, or pray, it would mean more than you know. “Love thy neighbor.” Thank you all so much for your kindness and support.