FACES OF HOMELESSNESS SPEAKERS' BUREAU
Launched in
2009, the "Faces of Homelessness” Story Tellers in Palm Beach County, a newly formed Speakers' Bureau group. This is mentored by the National Coalition for the Homeless out of Washington D.C. Our story
tellers have become one of the most visible public education and advocacy tools of The Homeless Coalition. John Allison, AmeriCorps VISTA Speaker's Bureau Project Coordinator, has lined up speakers from our courageous and formerly homeless population. These speakers share their homeless experiences at colleges, youth groups, public schools and other community forums. For many of these individuals and families it is the first time they have ever spoken publicly. Their stories are exhilarating and honest accounts of their very personal journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency. The aim of the "Faces of Homelessness" Story Tellers is to help housed Americans glimpse the diverse reality of living daily without a home. If you would like to have a Story Teller speak to your group, Please call 561-355-HOME (4663) or email homelesscoalitionpbc@gmail.com
Faces of Homelessness Story Tellers
Back Row: Steve Z, Guy Nelson, Scott Eckel, Jay Humphries, Fred Yates, Steve Moreno, Daniel Grego
Middle Row: Del Caroll, Don Graef, Grace Magri, Martha Michloney, Christy Turnquist, Gary Osborne, Robert Croce
Front Row: Syndi Love, Michelle Carter
READ ABOUT OUR STORY TELLERS...
Jennifer Austin is a 17 year old African-American female. She was living with her father and step-mother much of her life but her step-mother and she didn't get along. Jennifer started staying with friends all the time, running away and living in the streets. She fell into a rough situation and found out she was pregnant. She was filed as a runaway so she was connected her with Children's Home Society. She is now going to classes to get her diploma. She has dreams and is going to pursue them to make her life and the life of her 19 month old son better.
Michele Carter works for Goodwill Industry. She works with the Re-entry program. Michele is a mother to a 20 year old son. While her son grew up, Michele thought they lived a good life. She would take her son on vacations and he was well dressed and well fed. She worked and had a steady paycheck.
Michele drank a lot; however, never thought it was a problem. It was familiar to her to have alcohol in her house as she grew up so she did as well. As time progressed she began to realize she had a problem. She went into treatment and into halfway houses and to the streets of homelessness and started the cycle again. Her son stayed with relatives most of the time during this part of her life. Michele was able to finally stop the cycle and became sober. She met a man at her last halfway house and they got married. She now is on her feet and would like to go back to school to get a B.A. Her son today struggles with substance abuse and money management. Michele is pained by watching the cycle continue with her son; and hopes that her son will learn from her life experiences. She supports her son in becoming sober and the road to recovery; so he will be a positive contributing member of society.
Christine Cottrill is a 21 year old Caucasian female. She is the single mother of a lively and healthy 19 month old boy. Christine experienced homelessness much of her life even though she didn't realize she was homeless as a kid. Her mother suffered with a drug addition and was not around much of the time. This left Christine the primary care giver in the home. When there was food in the house there was not enough for her sister and herself so she would go hungry. Christine would frequently stay at a friend's home, and would take her younger sister with her too. In 7th grade, Christine dropped out of school simply because no one made her go and she had tremendous shame. She then began to experiment with substances; continuing down a pathway of homelessness. She would go to her mother's house but the food would always disappear. Christine became pregnant and decided she wanted a better life for her baby. The baby's father said that he would get sober, yet failed to do so. This left Christine with absolutely no one. She got a referral to go to Transitions through Children's Home Society. There she became clean and started a GED class. Today, Christine is moving out of Transitions and into her own place. She goes to college and works. She would like to work in a legal position or be a counselor some day. She has become a very wonderful mother and a productive contributing member of our community.
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810 Datura Street, Suite 350 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 tel: 561.355.HOME (4663) fax: 561.242.7339 homelesscoalitionpbc@gmail.com |
The Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). |