Help Ben get back on his feet!

We met a new friend last night-his name is Ben. He has aspergers and a few other conditions that have made life really difficult, especially since COVID. He’s 28 years old, and has been sleeping in the alley behind our house for the last 6-8 weeks (in 110 degree heat most days) due to losing his job that he’s had at Arby’s for the last 4 years.(which he loved btw) Prior to that Ben was raised in the foster care system in Michigan and eventually aged out of it and has had very minimal outside assistance in his life since. After speaking with him and hearing his story, we knew that we had to help. Sometimes in life you just need a helping hand to lift you up and get you back on track, and that is what we intend to be for him! Ben is smart though, he made sure to use his stimulus check (the only income he’s had In months) to get his phone bill paid for the year so he can find work, a bus pass for the year so he can get around and a storage unit that he keeps his groceries and few belongings in. He has done everything he can to try and better his own Situation with little outside help. We were able to put him up In a hotel for the next couple days while we figure out how to best help him long term. If anyone in Phoenix knows about any adult autism groups, living arrangements, or programs that could help we would appreciate any assistance offered! This go fund me will be used to make sure Ben has a safe place to sleep at night as well as some of the basic things he has had to go without while we help secure long term residency for him. We were able to get a lot of his essentials today including clothes for interviews, toiletries, and a pair of shoes which he hasn’t had in weeks.

The next step will be helping get him in contact with employment services as well as coordinating with his case worker to make sure he doesn’t end up back in the same spot. 

I added some pictures of where he has slept for the last few weeks, just to add a little context. Ben is a good man, with a soft heart and I know that we can come together and help him get his life back where it needs to be. Any help, donations, or other  public services are helpful as well!