I first met Thomas 18 months ago at the dinner my church serves weekly to the homeless and financially needy. As I sat and talked to him and heard a little more of his story I learned that he was a veteran and was indeed homeless. I was impressed with his attitude, his desire to get off the streets and his willingness to keep trying regardless of the obstacles he encountered.
He told me that he wanted to become a chef and when he did he wanted to come back and help cook at some of the community dinners to help others like himself. Since that first night Thomas has persevered. He wanted to stay in Kent where he felt safe but there was no place that offered permanent shelter. Eventually he decided his only hope was to move to a shelter in Seattle.
With the help of the staff there and help from the VA he is slowly getting back on his feet. The last time I heard from him he had moved into his own apartment, was attending group counseling at the VA hospital and volunteering at community meals near his new home.
KentHOPE wants to provide that kind of help right here. Many of those we’ve met are not as brave as Thomas. Kent is their comfort zone and they are afraid to leave. While there are those who are chronically homeless, there are many more like Thomas who are not homeless by choice. They are hoping for a hand up to change their situation, whether it’s through treatment, counseling, housing, schooling or help finding a job. It might be as simple as a place to shower and launder clothing.
We believe we can work together to address the concerns of the community and help people like Thomas become stable, contributing members of the Kent community.
– Elaine Lowell
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