Me: What brought you to The Refuge?
Brian: I lived with my mother taking care of her while she was sick. We were sharing a place with my brother and his wife.
My mom passed away while in the hospital. My brother and his wife moved and asked me to come with them. I went with them, but I guess I wasn’t finding a job fast enough to help pay for stuff, so they threw me out.
Me: What thoughts or feelings were going through your mind when you realized you were going to have to stay in a homeless shelter? Had you been homeless before?
Brian: No this is my first time. I was scared I guess. I mean I was hoping that some friends or family or somebody might help me out, but you know everybody I could (have asked) basically had problems of their own that they were dealing with. They couldn’t help me out so the only choice I had was to come here, which you know, I’m kinda glad I did because the people at all the churches are all really nice.
Me: What has your experience been like here at The Refuge?
Brian: Kinda cool. I met a lot of nice people through the churches and met a lot of people that are in the same predicament as I am. I was able to help some of them. Like Craig, who wasn’t from here, so I showed him where to find places. Basically, I showed him where he ended up getting his job at. (Brian, chuckles at this. He had applied at the same job, but was turned down.)
Me: If there’s one thing you could say to the volunteers what would it be?
Brian: Thank you for everything. I mean…I don’t know what else to say. I’m just grateful that all of them have been there to volunteer their help and stuff like that for us.
Me: What would you tell someone coming into The Refuge for the first time? What would your advice be?
Brian: Just keep trying. Don’t stop.
Me: What would you like to say to the community of Lapeer regarding what you think needs to change to help those that are homeless?
Brian: They need to have something available year round. Because those who come in later in the season like in March (just before The Refuge closes) need a place to go to have a roof over their head.
Me: As you mentioned we (The Refuge) are getting ready to close for the season, so what are your plans after this?
Brian: Just trying to find work and then find a place. I just put an application into McDonalds and I heard that Kroger’s is hiring. I’m gonna go try to apply there. I tried Big Lots, but they weren’t hiring, so just gonna keep hitting the street trying to find work.
Me: Are you planning on staying in a tent or do you have someplace to go?
Brian: I’ll stay in a tent if I have to. I really don’t have any place to go. I did stay at my brother’s the other night and couldn’t get a bus in to get here (for our interview in Lapeer), so I walked. I’m willing to walk to get done what I need to. (Brian’s brother lives in Deerfield Township)
Me: Wow, that’s a long walk. Thank you so much for doing this.
Brian: No problem. I appreciate what you guys do.
Me: I really hope that things start turning around for you, for everybody staying with us. Thanks again, Brian. Let me know if you need anything and I will see what I can do.
Brian: I lived with my mother taking care of her while she was sick. We were sharing a place with my brother and his wife.
My mom passed away while in the hospital. My brother and his wife moved and asked me to come with them. I went with them, but I guess I wasn’t finding a job fast enough to help pay for stuff, so they threw me out.
Me: What thoughts or feelings were going through your mind when you realized you were going to have to stay in a homeless shelter? Had you been homeless before?
Brian: No this is my first time. I was scared I guess. I mean I was hoping that some friends or family or somebody might help me out, but you know everybody I could (have asked) basically had problems of their own that they were dealing with. They couldn’t help me out so the only choice I had was to come here, which you know, I’m kinda glad I did because the people at all the churches are all really nice.
Me: What has your experience been like here at The Refuge?
Brian: Kinda cool. I met a lot of nice people through the churches and met a lot of people that are in the same predicament as I am. I was able to help some of them. Like Craig, who wasn’t from here, so I showed him where to find places. Basically, I showed him where he ended up getting his job at. (Brian, chuckles at this. He had applied at the same job, but was turned down.)
Me: If there’s one thing you could say to the volunteers what would it be?
Brian: Thank you for everything. I mean…I don’t know what else to say. I’m just grateful that all of them have been there to volunteer their help and stuff like that for us.
Me: What would you tell someone coming into The Refuge for the first time? What would your advice be?
Brian: Just keep trying. Don’t stop.
Me: What would you like to say to the community of Lapeer regarding what you think needs to change to help those that are homeless?
Brian: They need to have something available year round. Because those who come in later in the season like in March (just before The Refuge closes) need a place to go to have a roof over their head.
Me: As you mentioned we (The Refuge) are getting ready to close for the season, so what are your plans after this?
Brian: Just trying to find work and then find a place. I just put an application into McDonalds and I heard that Kroger’s is hiring. I’m gonna go try to apply there. I tried Big Lots, but they weren’t hiring, so just gonna keep hitting the street trying to find work.
Me: Are you planning on staying in a tent or do you have someplace to go?
Brian: I’ll stay in a tent if I have to. I really don’t have any place to go. I did stay at my brother’s the other night and couldn’t get a bus in to get here (for our interview in Lapeer), so I walked. I’m willing to walk to get done what I need to. (Brian’s brother lives in Deerfield Township)
Me: Wow, that’s a long walk. Thank you so much for doing this.
Brian: No problem. I appreciate what you guys do.
Me: I really hope that things start turning around for you, for everybody staying with us. Thanks again, Brian. Let me know if you need anything and I will see what I can do.