I'm raising money for basic needs so I can afford food and clothing for better health.

Raymond

Why I'm using HandUp for my basic needs.

I am currently experiencing homelessness and have no money and food. I have diabetes and have no control over what I eat or wear. Not too long ago, I had a heart attack. On the first of the year, I received a heart transmitter and don't have a place to plug the monitor into. It is really challenging being homeless and any compassion you are willing to give, would make a world of a difference to me!

About me.

I'm from Columbia, Mississippi. I joined the U.S. Army in 1979 and I was discharged in 1982. I'm divorced, I went through a lot of triumphs and tribulations in my life. I graduated from City College of San Francisco as an EKG technician. I'm trying to get my life back together.

My backstory.

One of the main things that got me to being homeless is that I went through a bad divorce, I didn't have life skills at that time to be able to make ends meet. I ended up on the street. After I got on the street, I was in a rut and couldn't get out. I was drinking, and didn't think I was ever going to change. Then I started going to school. I surrounded myself with peer counselors, I started taking courses and it worked for me.

My goals, moving forward.

My goal is to become employed full time. After that, my goal is to maintain my sobriety and start mentoring other people. I've been a volunteer mentor at Laguna Honda Hospital, and I want to continue doing that. I want to get back to being stable in life, to one day be able to help others who have been through what I've been through in life--to give back to my community.

Other things I'd like to share about myself.

What makes me happy today is to be able to have my sobriety. In my program, we lean on one another for support. I try not to get too far ahead of myself--to remain patient and hopeful.