When Ron was laid off after 10 years as an Administrative Assistant/Secretary with Child Welfare in Chicago, he had some hard choices to make. He had almost 30 years of good, solid work experience, but a new job was proving hard to find. Should he stay and look further in Chicago, or accept his sister’s invitation to live with her while he looked for a job in Milwaukee?

 

            Ron chose to come to Milwaukee, but unfortunately work was still hard to find. Then, domestic troubles at his sister’s house meant he couldn’t live there anymore. Suddenly, for the first time in his life, Ron was homeless.

 

            Ron came to Safe Harbor, our men’s shelter, in December of 2003. He was interested in just one thing: finding a good job so he could get a place of his own and support himself. And because of your generous support, we had just the help he needed!

 

            Our Employee Advantage Service (EAS) gives men like Ron a short-term home while they find and hold employment and transition to permanent housing. Ron stayed at Safe Harbor only one day, then spent five months in our EAS program, and he’s so grateful! “They gave me a new start,” he says. “It felt good to come to a new city and be able to receive support and guidance so far away from home. The Lord blessed me with a job at Popeyes Chicken, and I continued to search for a clerical position while working as a cook. [In EAS,] I was able to open up a bank account and save my money. This enabled me to find an apartment, and pay security and first month’s rent. [Finally,] the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare called and offered me a position.”

 

            Although Ron came to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission looking for a safe place to live while he got back on his feet, he got even more than he imagined. He’d tell you today that the most important change in his life since coming to MRM is that “I was able to get closer to the Lord. Now I don’t take anything for granted.”

 

            Today, not only is Ron working and supporting himself, but he’s also volunteering with a faith-based group providing services for low-income, uninsured people in the Milwaukee e-Community.

 

            “There are success stories out there,” Ron says. “You might not see who or where your help is utilized, but it’s there. Without you there would be no outlet for the homeless to receive their basic needs. And sometimes you not only help the homeless but also individuals who have had something traumatic happen in their life.”

 

            Thank you for helping us provide programs like EAS that go beyond meeting emergency needs. For formerly-homeless men and women, a safe place to stay while they save money for permanent housing is essential to getting firmly established in a new and better life--and that’s just what you help us give them. We appreciate your partnership!