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Downtown
Streets Team Success Stories
We have many success stories that we will rotate in and out of this page regularly. Some people, like David and Lillian are still on the team. George recently transitioned into permanent employment and Perry is one of our most successful graduates. To view Perry's story, click here. Lillian, David, and George's stories are below. Check back often to see new stories.
| My name is Lillian Turner. I
struggled with a drug habit for twenty years. I was in and out of
prison on drug-related charges. Back in 1995, I got involved in a
Christian Prison Ministry while in prison. When I got out in
1996, a generous Christian couple gave me a place to live.
Without their help, I would have been homeless, just like other many
women released from prison. My parents were both deceased by that
time, so I had nowhere to go. While living with this couple, I went to school so I could begin the path to helping other women pursuing an education after leaving prison. First of all, I went to Bible College on a scholarship. Later, I transferred to Chabot College for Liberal Arts studies and received an Associate of Arts degree in 2002. After that, I attended CSU, East Bay, where I got a Bachelors of Arts in Public Administration with a specialty in Social Services in 2004. The Christian widow got me housing using a Section 8 voucher and things were looking up. I finally had my own place and worked as a career development assistant at CSU East Bay while I worked on my Masters degree. Then, in 2005, I got a great job as the manager of an apartment building for a property management company in San Francisco. Not only would I draw a salary, but I'd receive an apartment as part of the deal. I had a 90-day probationary period, but I was confident that all would work out, so I gave up my Section 8 apartment and settled into my new place. Unfortunately, there was a corporate restructuring that took management of the apartments from the woman who had given me the job to another group who had someone different in mind. They gave me eight days' notice. Suddenly, I was homeless with no job. I had an A1 credit rating and a bit of money saved, so at first I lived off that but it didn't take long to run through all my savings and get myself into financial difficulties, but I kept working on my Masters degree. I wrote my thesis, which I am now finishing up, in shelters. I moved into the Safe Harbor shelter, then the InnVision CMA Shelter when my time ran out at Safe Harbor. Finally, in the fall of 2006, I got a unit in the Opportunity Center. I graduated from CSU with a MPA with a focus on Organizational Counseling in 2007. Downtown Streets Team has been a big help as I finish my education. Working for DST helps me to afford food while I finish my thesis. I am seeking employment in student services at a college or university. Many people don't realize that when you come out of prison, you are basically homeless, unless you have family or friends who can take you in. I want to help women coming out of prison get into school and earn a degree so they can get a better job, as well as understand all the educational, housing, and employment resources available to them while they are in school. My hope and prayer is that a door will open so I can do this. |
 Hi, my name is David
Shippen. Nothing
tragic happened to me. I dropped out of society by choice because
I didn't feel it was (or is) a true society. I was
anti-society, anti-capitalism, anti-consumerism, so I quit my job and
sold or gave away all my possessions and moved out of my
apartment. For six years and nine months, I lived wherever I
could. I have lived all sorts of places: in lots of shelters
(Salvation Army, City Team, E.H.C. and InnVision), in abandoned
mansions, by Guadelupe River in San Jose, in a parking lot of a church,
by a library, even in Mitchell Park.Then one day, I came to get food at the Urban Ministry Food Closet and Eileen Richardson was there. She said, "Hey, David, how about coming to work with Downtown Streets Team?" I shook my head and said, "No way!" But it got me thinking. I talked to my family about it. I realized that I was breaking my parents' hearts with the way I was living. I asked myself, "Why am I doing this?!?" I found Eileen and asked her if the job offer was still open. She said it was. So I took her up on her offer of a job and my life did a 180-degree turnaround. I moved into the Opportunity Center of the Midpeninsula in September of 2006. I have money; I can buy steaks from Safeway if I want. My rent is paid up. I have lost 25 pounds and I feel much better about myself. I'm happier, self-accomplished, and have a feeling of self worth. I'm a different person. And my parents are delighted. |
|
My
name is George and I have lived in Palo Alto all of my life. I used to
rely on panhandling on the streets of Palo Alto in orderto eat and
live. However, I am now a productive member of the Downtown
Streets Team. Let me tell you my story . . .
I
am the father of a 28 year-old-daughter and a grandfather. I do not
drink alcohol or take drugs of any kind. Approximately 2 and 1/2 years
ago I had a stroke, which I am still recovering from. In 2005, I was
diagnosed with diabetes and I have high blood pressure so it has become
increasingly important that I eat right and take care of my health.
I
receive $650/month in disability and my rent is $475/month. That
leaves $175/month for food and other expenses. I cook my own meals and
use Urban Ministry's Food Closet two times perweek, the maximum I am
allowed. However, I still can't make it without additional money for
food.
Because
of my stroke, I have found it impossible to find a job untilI joined
the Downtown Streets Team. Now Iwork 20 hours a week for $100 in gift
cardsto Whole Foods and Safeway, and I no longer have to panhandle! I
work with the Team handing out informational packages such as this one,
running errands, handling deliveries, and general office work.
I've wanted to work for so long and I so enjoy feeling productive as part of the team. Everyday I feel my self-confidence getting stronger. My goal is to be an inspiration to other panhandlers. |