I'm raising money to cover the living expenses of Saxophone Joe (Joel Lewis) as he recovers from an upcoming open heart surgery. Saxophone Joe is a staple of the Oceanway community on the Northside of Jacksonville, FL. He is often seen playing the saxophone at crosswalks and in the street median, bringing life to our suburban neighborhood, and brightening people's day with a jazzy cover and—for those who choose to say "hello"—an encouraging word. 

Joe's faith in the Triune God and sincere belief that his purpose is to share the gift of music have been a personal motivator and driving force for several years, as he has been in and out of homelessness and attempting to find housing, nutritional, financial, and vocational stability.

I've personally known Joe for about three years. I found him to be a sincere and caring individual. He served in the US Army, has worked in construction-related jobs for many years, and hails as a nearly-lifelong JAX resident.

Late last year, Joe received news that he was going to have to have open heart surgery, and although the hospital's charity care will largely cover the surgery itself, recent health complications have made him physically unable to work and, even more crucially, play his saxophone. 

This puts Joe in a dire situation: he remains at risk of homelessness, and he has virtually no ability to provide for himself. Additionally, Jacksonville, Florida, being designed for car dependency, most areas are unwalkable and lack proper public transportation, making it almost impossible to accomplish everyday errands (such as commuting or buying food from the grocery store) sustainably without a vehicle.

Over the past few months, the Oceanway community has come together to do what we can to support Joe. However, we have struggled to find a long-term solution for him using the commonly available means of government and nonprofit assistance.

He currently lives in a substandard, nearly-condemned house that is unsuitable for a recovery post-surgery. I've personally been there. The house is falling apart. There are rips or holes in the wall, and most of the kitchen appliances are not functioning. He has untrustworthy roommates and/or neighbors who have stolen his wallet, and the front entrance has multiple concrete steps that he will be unable to navigate post-surgery. The landlord also denied Joe the construction of a ramp that some generous neighbors were willing to finance.

Additionally, the homelessness organizations we connected him with have not been able to provide a long-term solution — and it's been months.

Over the years I've known Joe, he's demonstrated himself to be deeply conscientious and self-controlled. He was on oxygen for a while and decided to wean himself off it because he didn't want to see himself addicted. His health improved within days.

On a frequent number of occasions, Joe has reached out to me asking for money for food, toiletries, or prescription co-pays — apologizing that he's asking again — and expressing his agony of having to ask repeatedly. I recall a particular day when I declined due to a personal lack of means, but then I later went to visit Joe and take him some items. I found him physically unwell at his house: He had taken doctor–prescribed medication in preparation for his surgery on an empty stomach. I bought him something immediately, but I realized in that moment how dire his situation is.

His surgery has been postponed twice, leaving him with an inability to plan his recovery with any sort of definite timeline and the emotional instability that comes from not knowing how to mentally prepare. He is living day to day, at the end of his rope, facing a crisis that feels existential every day and involuntarily relying on a select few as his only lifeline.

That's why we're turning to the broader Internet community.

We're seeking to raise 10-15k to give Joe the stability and peace of mind he needs to focus on his recovery and get back on his feet again. The amount we are seeking will cover:

6 months of housing (Private apartment with bathroom in Jacksonville FL). ~$7200

Food stipend ~$1800

Used vehicle ~$3000

Insurance and misc expenses - $3000

Joe's dream and heartfelt prayer is to return to sharing his music, both playing and even potentially teaching. Although, there's no way for us to reasonably have all the long-term details put together, we know this is what he needs right now, and we would be humbly grateful for any contribution you can make. In an era of government downsizing, responsibility falls to us as citizens to come through for our fellow neighbors. Let's make it happen. And thank you for your consideration.