Support Andrew’s journey from homelessness to healing

Hello everyone. My name is Ann, and I am fundraising on behalf of a young, LGBTQ+ homeless person named Andrew. My partner and I met him when he was rummaging through a dumpster looking for food. We got him some nutritious food and offered an opportunity to earn some money doing odd jobs. We’ve made this offer to others in the past, but Andrew was the first to accept and every day for a week he walked 5 miles each way to “work.” He arrived on time, and worked hard, then would walk back to the alley where he was sleeping. Andrew had been turned out onto the streets after being arrested for defending himself against a physical attack by a parent. In fact, he has endured emotional and verbal abuse, physical abuse, and extreme neglect throughout his entire life. Knowing he couldn’t return home after being tased by his step-father, he made his way to his grandfather’s house to ask for help, but was told that there wasn’t enough room for him to stay, even for one night. His grandfather then drove him 40 minutes away, into a neighboring county, and left him on the doorstep of a shelter that he was too afraid to enter. And that’s how he ended up homeless. Thankfully, Andrew had only been living on the streets for a couple of months when we met him.

In the two months since we began helping Andrew, we’ve secured safe, temporary housing; we’re in the process of getting IDs and other documentation that was left when he fled his home; through donations we’ve gotten an eye exam and new glasses (his weren’t returned after being in jail, and he’s extremely nearsighted); and his court fines have been covered through a very generous donation. He is working with a social worker through Star House, a resource for homeless people aged 14-24; a public defender is assisting with the charges that came with his arrest; and his probation office is very encouraged by the progress that Andrew has made and continues to show. He hopes to secure employment that will allow him access to subsidized housing (which we know has a long wait-list).

Andrew, with his quiet, contemplative, gentle spirit, continues to be beyond thankful for the care and compassion that he’s been shown. In his world, strangers (and even family) don’t do nice things for others. He thanks us daily not only for helping with his immediate physical needs (food, showering, clothes), but for allowing him to spend time with our dogs (proof that animals really can help heal a soul).

I pledge to you that every penny raised will go to helping this young person get on his feet and forge a life that is safe and secure. The mental illness crisis in our country is real, and although we’ve been fortunate to find a therapist who will help him through the tremendous emotional trauma he’s sustained, it will require private funds, as the average wait time for a therapist who accepts Medicaid is 6+ months. Andrew’s fragile mental state just doesn’t allow for that kind of wait. The second (and only slightly less critical need) will be a reliable used car and insurance so that he can work. He's been hired at a convenience store, but has a very late shift and walking late at night is a safety concern. Unfortunately, as a hospice nurse, I work long (and irregular) hours and am not always available to drive Andrew where he needs to go.

If you’re inspired to help a young person who is truly working hard to improve his life (and has already said that once he’s on his feet, he’d like to figure out a way to use his experience to help others), we’d be deeply grateful. I can’t fix all the problems in our country, but with support and generosity I can continue to help one young person determined to find a better future.