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From Serving the Homeless to Facing Homelessness: Help Tim Keep His Home and Hope
My Journey: Building a Life Worth Fighting For
My name is Tim, and my life is built on second chances. I came from an abusive background that led me down a difficult path and resulted in a lengthy prison sentence. But prison didn't define me; it reforged me. I used that time to educate myself, reflect, and make a rock-solid commitment to a life of service and purpose.
Eight years ago, I walked out and didn't just re-enter society, I built a new world. Within two years, I met my wonderful husband, we got married, and we bought our first home together.
Against overwhelming odds, I found stability, love, and community.
Most importantly, in 2018, I launched my nonprofit, Give Back Utah. Our mission is deeply personal: providing aid, relief, and prevention services to the homeless population. We have spent years working to ensure others don't have to face the cold reality of sleeping rough.
This work is my passion, my calling, and the proudest achievement of my life after turning my life around.
One more accomplishment that I would like to add to this would be the ACE Award that I got because of the people with disabilities trying to adjust to jobs so I would have my company hire people and I would mentor them and I would help them get settled into their job overcoming whatever disabilities that they were facing.
This prestigious governor's award was awarded to me during the 46th annual Golden Key Awards during COVID. I got out of prison September 2018 and I received this award October 1 in 2020 from Governor Herbert. I have included a picture of the award and certificate.
The Crushing Blow: A Traumatic Brain Injury
In a cruel twist of fate, the very life I fought so hard to build is now collapsing around me.
A couple of years ago, a simple shopping trip to a local grocery store, WinCo, turned into a life-altering tragedy. Due to what we have clear evidence was their negligence, I suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
This injury was far more debilitating than anyone initially realized. I suddenly couldn't learn new tasks or retain simple information, and the mental fatigue is often unbearable.
My ability to focus and perform reliably in any professional environment has been stripped away. I’ve had to leave my last two jobs because I simply could not perform them appropriately.
We spent years fighting the company for accountability, taking the case to three different attorneys, but they consistently refused to take responsibility for their actions. This legal struggle left us with massive debt and no financial relief.
The Challenge: Surviving the Two-Year Wait
With my ability to work gone and nearly $75,000 in medical bills hanging over us, I have been forced to file for disability. This process is grueling.
To prove my need to the courts, doctors have advised me to stop working entirely.
The agonizing truth is that it can take up to two years to receive a disability decision.
I have come way too far to lose everything now, my stability, my home, my purpose, and my peace. My incredible husband is working two full-time jobs just to try to keep our heads above water, but we are running out of time and savings.
Where Your Gift Goes: Stability and Survival
I am asking for your help to bridge this two-year gap. Your donation doesn't just pay a bill; it protects the future I fought a decade to achieve and the sanctuary we built for our family.
Every dollar donated will be used directly for basic survival and stability while we wait for disability approval:
- Keeping Our Home: This is the priority. Covering the mortgage and essential utilities to keep a roof over our heads. Losing our home means losing everything, including the ability to work with “Give Back Utah“, the nonprofit I started.
- Supporting My Husband’s Work: Maintaining our vehicle is critical, as my husband needs reliable transportation for both of his jobs.
- Medical Maintenance: Covering necessary co-pays, specialized TBI therapies, and offsetting the crushing medical debt we incurred while fighting for justice.
- Protecting Our Family: Your support means we won't have to face the agonizing decision of having to move or, heartbreakingly, getting rid of our two beloved dogs, who are our constant source of comfort and emotional support during this difficult time. I really do not want to file for bankruptcy.
A Message of Deep Gratitude
To anyone reading this: I am humbly asking for your empathy and support. If you can only give a small amount, please know that it means the world. If you are in a position to set up a small monthly recurring donation, that consistent lifeline would offer us the stability and peace of mind we need to breathe and focus on my recovery while we fight this final battle.
Thank you. Thank you for seeing the devoted couple who spent eight years building a life of service.
Thank you for seeing my husband, who is working himself to exhaustion to save our future. You are helping us keep our home, our family, and my hope alive.
From the deepest part of my heart, I will never forget your kindness.
Organizer
