Meet Mr. Harris!
For Mr. Harris, life has always been about lifting others up. A veteran, pastor, gardener, and inventor, Mr. Harris brings optimism and gratitude into every chapter of his life, even when faced with the challenge of homelessness.
Born in California, then living in Nevada, and now settled in Texas, Mr. Harris has always been passionate about caring for the environment and people. “I’m a big time gardener and I now have 7 patents that deal with the environment,” he shared. “I love living here in Texas especially because of the fact that there’s two growing seasons.”
When the unexpected loss of his father left him without financial support, Mr. Harris found himself evicted and without a car. “I didn’t want to be out in the street,” he said. That’s when a neighbor introduced him to Front Steps, an Austin nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness for veterans and the unhoused community.
“Front Steps changed my life,” Mr. Harris said. “They put me up in a nice place while I waited to get approved for an apartment and then they were able to get me this place. I felt like I had won the lottery.”
Throughout the process, Mr. Harris said the kindness of his case managers stood out the most. “When I met Ana, she laid out the plan for what would happen. Then I met Trina and she was wonderful. They are like family to me.” He continued, “Ana and Trina they truly care for me as a human. That’s the most important thing that a human wants, we want to be loved, we want to be accepted and we want to be forgiven.”
Moving into his new apartment was more than just a fresh start, it was a blessing. “This is like a little palace for me,” he smiled. “I am very excited. I was actually having trouble sleeping last night just thinking about today and moving in.”
Mr. Harris’s hope is to one day give back to the organization that helped him. “When I start getting money from my patents again I will be supporting Front Steps,” he said. He lives by this motto: “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.”
His message to the community is simple: “Lift people up. That’s what it’s all about. I’ve been lifted up.”