Helping a friend with no home!

"Homeless"...that has such a stigma attached to it, doesn't it? When you hear that term, what images pop in your mind? 

How many times do you see a "homeless" person and think, why doesn't he/she just get a job? That image you have in your head, doesn't represent everyone. It definitely doesn't represent those who are temporarily in that position and trying to get out of it.

Sometimes the homeless are people who are trying everything they can and simply can't get out of the situation without a little bit of help from those who can.

I happen to know someone who is homeless, with no car, and walks 3 hours to get to work, works all day, and for only $200 a paycheck. 

He isn't worthless, he just had a bad start in life. His mother was a prostitute and he never knew his real father. That is how he started life and it didn't get much easier. 

He is a father and his child support takes so much of his paycheck, he literally can't live on it. But instead of giving up, he continues to work and pay for his kids first while he sleeps outside. (Or couches, from time to time)

His own kids can't even come spend the night with him because he has no-where for them to stay. 

I remember thinking "wow, this guy is trying so hard it takes him 3 hours to get to work, and he still can't get ahead." He still gets off work and tries to huddle up somewhere to get out of the cold. Tonight, he was going to have to find somewhere to sleep in the cold and the rain. 

Me and my wife found a hotel near him and paid for 2 nights. I then started asking a few people that know him and how big his heart is, and every one of them pitched in until we were able to pay for 10 nights. 

When I told him what we did, this is what he said.

"Ya'll are amazing...ya'll touched my deeply with this and I'm teared up with emotions....I didn't think anyone cared that much....I appreciate it more than words can explain. I am truly blessed to have you and them in my life. I love each and every one of ya'll."

This got me thinking, what if we could give him a 6 month jump on life. What if I could raise enough money to pay for 6 months rent near his job. He would be able to save enough to get a car and he would have enough of a head start to actually get his life on track. 

What good are we as a society if we don't TRULY help those who are trying to help themselves? I always hear people say they want help and they either don't know how or where to, and I figure if I'm going to help, I should start in my own community. 

I don't know what to expect from this. He didn't ask me to do this so I don't want to mention his name or upload his picture until I can surprise him with it and then get his permission. I would love to be able to upload a picture of him in his new apartment.

I would like to stock it with enough stuff that it's livable and his children can spend the night with their dad.

Here is what I'm planning.  

$4200 would pay for 6 months of rent at $700 a month
$900 for 6 months of electricity at $150/month
$2000 for some start- up furniture, bed and silver-ware
$400 to stock his refrigerator and pantry once