Member-only story
Start Where You Are
As I reflect on this year and some of the challenges people are facing a story came in a conversation that reminded me of how vulnerable we can be at any moment.
I had just arrived in the US. I was homeless after losing funding from my family. Still, I was lucky to have had established a small network of people that trusted liked me and allowed me to sleep on their couches. One friend allowed me to sneak into his place of worship to sleep, although I sometimes had to leave before they opened for a 4 am service.
The only asset I had was a car — but driving it would create challenges since it needed gas, tires, oil changes. Still, I held on to it to with the hope that when things got better, I could drive it.
Although no one would hire me to start a job, that I was able to work gave me a glimpse of hope.
I’d been in the US less than six months, and it became clear there were much bigger challenges that I had anticipated. Not even a fast-food chain would hire me. My English was broken, I had no mode of transportation besides my feet, and trying to get a shower here and there was definitely difficult.
But I had one asset to sell. I found someone to help me, but did not share that I was homeless or in need of cash. Initially, I was excited because this person indicated that there could be $1,850 in my pocket if…
