Three Money Savings Stories- Leon, Candace and James
Read About It: The Money Savings Program: Laying the Groundwork for a Brighter Future
A Dream Deferred: Leon’s Money Savings Story
“Living in my own house vs. in a group home or on the street has been my dream ever since I was in my 20s!”
At age 57, Leon has been around the block a few times. He’s also lived on the block… literally. He’s slept on the cold, hard concrete and on the hot pavement. And that’s a tough road to hoe when you’re disabled. For a while, Leon lived in a group home. But life, as we know, can change on a dime. And people like Leon who suffers from a disability can easily fall through the cracks…especially when they’re using crack to cope—which he admits he did. And also meth. A lifetime of doing that will mess you up big time…in every which way.
Thankfully, Leon got out of that addiction before that addiction got him—causing irreversible damage. He came to the Mission, and found the support and community he desperately needed, including being able to take advantage of the Money Savings Program. For the first time in his life, Leon was able to put away money. During the time he was here, Leon managed to save over 5K! While that may mean a set of new golf clubs to some, a cosmetic procedure for another, or a summer vacation to still others, for Leon it meant three things and none of them were optional: a place to live, meeting basic expenses and an electric scooter so he could navigate his way around town, including to important appointments.
Saving money paid off. Leon is now the proud renter of his own home…in an actual neighborhood with real neighbors…not just people you may see for a day on whatever street you happen to end up crashing on. “Living in my own house vs. in a group home or on the street has been my dream ever since I was in my 20s!” says the 57-year-old.
If you’re thinking it doesn’t take much to make some people happy, or that a man of his age should at least have had bigger dreams, you’d only be partially right. It doesn’t take much to make some people happy (a good thing) and there’s a reason for that. If your entire life you’ve had nothing and then suddenly have something, it just might make you a little grateful for that “something.” In Leon’s case that “something” is as simple as four walls and a floor with his very own door to shut, his very own bed to sleep in, and his very own table to place his very own food on. It perhaps goes without saying, but it bears repeating: no matter what we aspire to possess in life, if we don’t have gratitude for what we do have, we are the most unfortunate of men.
We applaud Leon and his determination to be able to save money, find his own place, give to others and live out his golden years “in peace and safety.” It’s what God intends for all us.
When Life Beats You Up: Candace’s Money Savings Story
“I was scared too when I first came here. So, I reassured them there are good people here and it’s a safe place…a place to start over!”
It’s no secret that life is cruel on the streets, especially for women. Candace knows that all too well. She was once homeless and suffering unspeakable hardship, including being beaten up… twice.
But two years ago, everything changed for Candace when she found kindness and love at the Mission. For two years she worked in the Resource Center—first as a volunteer, and then as a paid AARP worker. During that time, she enrolled in the Money Savings Program so she could one day afford her own place. And it was a success!
For the first time in over 10 years, Candace has her very own place…which means no more sleeping on the streets, no living with people who don’t want her there and no more unsafe shelters. The Mission was the first shelter she had been too where she not only felt safe–she felt loved and valued. That’s why as a former volunteer in Guest Services, she always put incoming guests at ease. “When people first walk through our doors, they are often scared and in tears,” says Candace. “And I can really relate because I was scared too when I first came here. So, I always reassured them there are good people here and it’s a safe place…a place to start over!”
Just recently, Candace landed a job with AARP, working their front desk. In just one month Candace landed a job, a place of her own and in May of 2024, She won Volunteer of the Year in the Guest Services category at the Mission. Wow!
Candace has come a long way since her time on the streets. We are so proud of her journey to wholeness and for her compassion for others.
A Bridge to a Better Future: James’ Money Saving Story
“He didn’t preach at us…he just lived his life before us in a Christlike way,” says James. “And to me, that’s the best kind of sermon.”
This is James. He used to live under a bridge. No, he’s not a troll but the way “regular” people avoided him, he sometimes felt like one. In reality, he’s just a guy who took a downward turn after he lost a family member. Before he knew it, he was living under a bridge—cold, wet and hungry and always having to watch his back. That’s no way to live.
That’s when James decided to come to the Mission for some help. It was there he saw a guy from the “old days.” He barely recognized his friend–that’s how much he had changed…for the better. That “guy” was Bill Hartman, one of our much beloved staff members. Sadly, Bill passed away in December, 2020. But his life left a big imprint—including upon James. “I saw how he got his life together, something I wanted to do but clearly had a hard time doing,” says James. “That’s how I knew that the Mission really does help people. And it could help me.”
James life was helped…radically so. Because food and shelter was provided for him, James was able to save enough money through our Money Savings Program to put a deposit on an apartment, pay the first month’s rent and buy a car! Because of that, he was able to “buy” hope for his future. He found a job. He had a mentor. He volunteered at the Mission. Most important, he reconnected with God. He’s especially thankful for his old pal, Bill Hartman, who inspired him to be a better man. “He didn’t preach at us…he just lived his life before us in a Christlike way,” says James. “And that’s the best kind of sermon.”
Read Other Money Savings’ Stories
“When I Was Sick”: Russ’s Money Savings Story
A Father Finds a Way to Be Near His Hospitalized Daughter
When a Landing Pad Becomes a Launching Pad: Marnie’s Money Savings Story
What happens when a refined woman with a once-glamorous career and a wealthy husband finds herself facing life on the street?
A Gift of Time: Jennifer’s Money Savings Story
After her mom died, 20-something year-old Jennifer was all alone in the world. She became homeless and turned to shoplifting to survive,
A Dream Deferred: Leon’s Money Savings Story
At 57, Leon was finally able to save money for something he had dreamt of his entire life.
When Life Beats You Up: Candace’s Money Savings Story
She was homeless and suffering unspeakable hardship, including being beaten up… twice.
A Bridge to a Better Life: James’ Money Saving Story
He was just a guy who took a downward turn after he lost a family member. Before he knew it, he was living under a bridge—cold, wet and hungry and always having to watch his back.
