The Cost of Homelessness in Oklahoma City April 1, 2009 to March ...

Oklahoma City Cost of Homelessness Study 2009‐2010
probably is. Mid‐Town, however, would be VI’s first of endless idyllic situations that she now knows to be
blessings: pure works of God.
AL was released from prison in April of 2002. He joined VI at Mid‐Town and was also in awe of the chance
he was given with this program. He tells of one of his first such chances with a sparkle in his eye. “Here I
am, having just gotten out of prison, and I move into this place, away from the old reminders, with my
sweetheart. The people wanted nothing from me; they wanted only to give and to help me help myself. I
was overwhelmed! On top that, Larry gives me a key to a suburban with a trailer full of lawn equipment
hooked to the back and says, ‘Here, go mow these lawns.’ Before, in my previous life, I would have taken
this equipment and sold it! But, I was stopped dead in my tracks. This man, whom I looked up to very
much, wasn’t just giving me a key to a vehicle and a job. He was giving me something so much more
precious and valuable! He had handed me his trust! Trust can be a powerful thing. I was determined to
maintain that man’s trust and be loyal to him. I mowed those lawns that day and went to bed that night
with a sense of accomplishment that I hadn’t felt in years.”
VI and Al quickly became integral parts of the Pershing Center, both employed with positions that not only
required their health and presence, but offered them a community of support and accountability.
“God has blessed us and continues to bless us!“ VI continues. “Al and I were so fortunate to move into the
residences provided by City Care that were newly built with no previous tenants. We were the first to
move into the Pershing Center. I was able to pick out our room at the Pershing Center! Then, when the
duplexes were built in the Westlawn neighborhood, we were given the opportunity to rent one. And now,
we own our own home built by City Care! It truly is miraculous.”
The Pershing Center is excited to celebrate 10 years of sobriety with VI and Al this month. It’s been 10
years of rebirth, now living the kind of simple life they used to envy of families in the supermarket long
ago. They are literally living their dream.
*Sketches written by a City Care Case Manager
Spangler & Associates, Inc. Page 60