Help Make a Difference in One Person’s Life - The Story of Nicholas L.

As I was returning from a doctor’s appointment in mid-June, I stopped at a Dunkin Donuts in Towson on York Rd. for a coffee and I found a young man sitting on the curb as I parked. I could sense that he was hungry, tired and homeless and asked him when was the last time he had something to eat. He said, “Two days ago, sir.” He wasn’t panhandling, but he was just sitting there minding his own business. I said, “Lets go in and get something.” As we sat down, he told me his name is Nicholas and that he is 34. He also told me the story about how his mother named him after St. Nicholas. For those of you who know me, I have a very special devotion to St. Nicholas. He has helped our family many times and I sensed a strong message from God to help this young man. As a pastor, I have seen the hand of God help many people throughout my life, but I can probably count on one hand the times that I felt a powerful message from God that He wanted me to help this individual and this was one of them. To help someone and not expect anything in return is truly doing God’s will. We went and bought some food and snacks as well as a padded mat for him to sleep on because he slept on the bare concrete outside the Towson Public Library. It is a popular place for the homeless after hours. Being able to connect to the library’s WiFi outside, Nicholas would spend his time listening to music and watching video clips. It comforted him as the time passed from days to weeks to months to over a year and a half homeless.

2020 may be known for the Covid Epidemic, but that was the year a downward spiral began for Nick with his girlfriend of 10 years leaving him and depleting their accounts. Then Nick lost his job, his apartment, car and license, and battled with depression, anger, and enormous anxiety. Not having medication to help him, Nick turned to the bottle to self-medicate from the pain of where he was before 2020 to where he is today. Nick worked with a company in a contractual position; with his last assignment at the Pentagon installing wiring and audio-visual equipment before he lost everything. The combination of anger, hurt, anxiety, along with issues with noise and bright lights and not on medicine was quite a challenge for him. Getting through each day became more difficult. And when you throw alcohol into the mix, it becomes almost impossible. But as we know with God all things are possible.

I would keep in contact with Nick every few days, but one day I got a call from Sinai Hospital, and it was Nick. The homeless people at the library ganged up on him - they cracked his skull where he needed staples, they cracked his ribs, re-injured his broken jaw, gave him a black eye and a broken nose and they stole his phone. He had no one to call but he had my business card in his pocket, and he called me. I went to go get him and I brought him to our home to recuperate from his injuries. I told my wife that if we don’t take him in temporarily, he will end up dead. I couldn’t have that on my conscience. My wife graciously but cautiously agreed. Nick has stayed with us for about a month. There have been good days and there have been challenging ones. He has found comfort in music. He helped me with some chores in exchange for replacing his phone. He also bought a guitar with the money he made. He began to take hikes, do meditation, go swimming and adjust to not being homeless anymore. It wasn’t easy. Despite the ideal setting, he still battled with his demons especially anxiety, insomnia and the anguish to return drinking to medicate himself. There were several successes with his sobriety while with us, but the problem was much more complex than I could handle. It truly is a disease. I convinced him to let me take him to the Harford Crisis Center in Bel Air. While at triage, his condition required hospitalization, so he was taken to Upper Chesapeake. Nick spent two days in the ER followed by a 7-day detox program that he completed at another facility.

After conversing with a dear friend, I came to understand the concept of sober living housing and I immediately reserved a place for Nick in a sober living program in Parkville, MD but it cost $700 a month for a shared room. I wish I could sponsor more than just the first month, but unfortunately, I cannot. And that is where all of you can help as family, friends, acquaintances and anyone this story touches to help secure a new start and a better life for Nicholas. I am convinced there is no hope on the streets, only despair and eventual death. I cannot let that happen to him and I ask for your compassion and assistance. Five ER visits in the last two months is too much for one human being to go through. Please join me in this special cause to help this young man get his life back. I am committed to seeing this happen, but your help is vital. A donation of $25 will pay for one day at this place, $50 two days, $100 four days, $175 a week, $350 for two weeks, $700 for a whole month. The facility encourages people to stay one year to secure their recovery and life in sobriety. They also require their residents to find employment within the first 3 months. Please know that your contribution will be used for his stay at this Sober Living program and any other medical or therapy costs that are not covered. Clothing, food, love and acceptance have been provided in abundance. Securing his new life is vital for a sustained change in this man’s plight. He has even come three times to our Church and has offered to volunteer as an audio-visual helper. Thank you for taking the time to read about Nicholas. May God bless you in an abundance for your help.