Meet our neighbor, Mr. Thompson!
Mr. Thompson’s journey to Texas in 2015 marked the beginning of a new chapter, though it came with its challenges. Mr. Thompson has a strong work ethic and is a man of many skills. He has worked a variety of jobs, including bus driver, ramp agent, and military member. with his characteristic straightforwardness.
When asked about his passions, Mr. Thompson shared his love for cooking and helping others. “I like cooking. I like being around folks and helping the public. That’s it,” he said with simplicity and sincerity. But how did it all go wrong?
What led Mr. Thompson to Front Steps.
Mr. Thompson’s journey took a challenging turn when he became chronically homeless. “It’s kinda hard when you lose your job and can’t pay your rent. So you get put out and have to stay out in the streets for a little while. You don’t want to ask for help, but you kind of got to because it gets rough out there,” he explained.
Facing homelessness was compounded by health challenges. Diagnosed with congestive heart failure, Mr. Thompson found that his condition became a barrier to employment. “Everybody looks at you like, ‘Oh, we can’t hire you because you’re a liability to us.’ So you just kinda move around, and you try here and there,” he shared.
Despite these obstacles, Mr. Thompson found strength and support through resources like the Salvation Army’s ARC Center. “They have a lot of resources and people that will help you look for stuff and find stuff. They’ll just try to point you in the right direction,” he recalled.
A new life.
Connecting with Front Steps was a turning point for Mr. Thompson. Reflecting on his first interaction, he said, “I was excited! Excited, yes ma’am.” The process of finding a place to call his own moved quickly, and within a month, Mr. Thompson had his own home. “I mean, how quick the process was. I was like a month here with Front Steps, and the next thing I knew, I had my own place.”
Now settled, Mr. Thompson finds joy in the stability of having a home. He also celebrates his new position at a restaurant as a grill cook, balancing work and life. “It feels good,” he said. He takes pride in maintaining his space, working hard, and enjoying the simple pleasures of cooking, cleaning, and relaxing in his new home.
When asked about his future, Mr. Thompson’s approach is pragmatic and hopeful: “Just taking it one step at a time.” His journey of finding stability through perseverance and the willingness to seek and accept help is one that deserves to be celebrated.
With support from our community, the right resources, and a resilient spirit, it’s possible to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.
Thank you to all our donors who help make stories like this possible. There are still a large amount of unhoused neighbors in Austin who need our help.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Donate: Every donation helps fund crucial resources for our unhoused neighbors
- Volunteer: Become part of the Front Steps family by volunteering! Sign up to work alongside our team and connect with our community.
- Share supplies: Take a look at our Amazon wishlist to see what’s needed—items like hygiene kits, blankets, and clothing go a long way.
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