Before COTS, Donald was living a successful life with a good job. But as he said, “everything fell apart, and then I fell apart.” His relationship with his children wasn’t in the best place. He hadn’t spoken to one son in almost two years. His daughter lived out of the state.
When COVID hit, Donald moved in with his sister, Stella, to be her full-time caretaker. Sadly, Stella’s health continued to decline and her son stepped in to move her to a care facility and Donald was told to move out. But he had no place to go.
One of his sons told him he had to go to COTS. It was near his work, so Donald could visit, and a stay at COTS would give him time to find housing.
It was a hard choice, but he decided to go to COTS. Soon into his stay, he met with volunteers and staff in our Red Tape Club to get the assistance he needed to find housing.
Donald learned he was eligible for social security. So, he secured his own ride to the Social Security Administration to get his card and secure his benefits. He found out he was able to work and receive benefits, so he set his sights on getting a job.
Lucky’s grocery store is a close walk from COTS. He spoke to a manager about getting a job and was told to apply online. “I don’t know how to use computers”, said Donald, so a Red Tape Club volunteer helped him fill out the online application and was hired immediately.
Donald had a strong drive to get his life together and get his family back. That drive and focus became a real inspiration for several clients. “My old bunkie told me when I come here and see you it makes me know that I can do it that, I can that I can survive.” Donald was a great listener for fellow residents, many of whom just needed a listening ear, but he was also quick to tell them that they needed to put in the effort if they wanted to see a change in their life.
Eventually, Donald was able to secure housing right before the holiday season. He hosted Thanksgiving for some of his friends he’d made at COTS. As they sat down to eat, one of his friends started to cry – it was his first time having a family style Thanksgiving dinner.
Then, his wish to reconnect with his family came true. His two sons came to his new place on Christmas Day. He now has a daughter-in-law and a grandson in his life. His kids told him, “We’re proud of you dad, we’ve got you back.” He’s reconnected with his ex-wife, who recently helped get him to a doctor’s appointment.
Today he’ll tell people, “Thank God for COTS.”. He tells his boys, “If it wasn’t for COTS, I wouldn’t have you back in my life.” He’s grateful that our founders had the vision to create COTS, so there would be a place in our community where individuals and families could get help.
He recalls when his son first told him to go to COTS. “I didn’t want to go there, I told him please don’t do this to me, but it saved my life.”
