Girls Think Tank recently received an extremely appreciative and inspiring voicemail from a 54 year-old, technically skilled male veteran who, last year, through ill health had fallen on hard times and had to resort to seeking accommodation at the Veteran’s Winter Shelter.
We’ve shared below some excerpts of this meaningful message with you, our supporters and volunteers, who help us bring dignity to the lives of people like him:
“Of all the groups that came around [The Veteran’s Shelter] last winter, your group was the one that made the biggest impression on me. One young lady went out of her way to find me a purple backpack that even had some comics inside. I used to be a comic collector. Everything that was inside the backpack, to me, was very well thought-out.
My homelessness was severe. I was a homeless man for a couple of years with people attacking me. I didn’t hang around with drug addicts and drinkers. Mine was a physical problem that affected my mental health in a big, big way.
Now, I’ve begun to solve my problems and I am no longer homeless. I’ve always been self-supporting. My ill health took me to the ground, and almost took me out of this world.
I will never forget that young lady and what [your organization] did. It was one of the most heart-warming days of my entire winter. Now that I’m getting back on my own feet, hopefully one day I can be someone who is assisting you rather than someone who is depending on you.
Homelessness is serious. I cannot thank you enough.”
This gentleman has now been connected to more permanent veteran services and is doing well. You each played your part in making this happen by letting him know that people like you care and by being willing to do something positive to show it.