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He’d previously had a room that he rented
for $200 per month but was turned out after the
room suddenly became unavailable. He secured
a spot at a men’s emergency shelter–which is
where we left him on that day in October–but
not before taking him to see another low cost
apartment, one he categorically could not
afford.
But we could.
He was timid. I assumed he was overwhelmed.
He turned to one of our team members
and said, “I love it here.” It’s low income housing
but it’s well run and it feels safe.
Lucious knew he couldn’t afford it and had
tears in his eyes when he tried to convey that by
simply mouthing the words, “I can’t.” But
Lucious didn’t understand what was happening.
That’s where Project Hope comes in to play.
We signed a lease on it and promptly raised the
money to pay his rent for an entire year. And we
are absolutely confident that we’ll raise the
money to keep him there.
We took him back to the emergency shelter
and told him that the very next Friday he’d be
spending the night in his new home—which is
where he’s been ever since. And with the most
bewildered expression, he thanked us. He
whispered, “I don’t even know what to say. I
love y’all so much. I just don’t know what to say.”
$600 per month provides sustainable
housing for our friends and provides money for
groceries. We currently have three in the
program and, as of this publishing, have just
secured a fourth sponsorship. We take them to
the grocery store every couple of weeks—and in
so doing, they’ve become way more than
friends. They’re family. Through the generosity
of others, we’re able to change lives—and our
lives are changed, too.
We moved Lucious into his apartment that
following Friday and he slept for four days. But
the next time we saw him he was stronger, had a
twinkle in his eye, and was immensely grateful.
As are we.
“And the
King will reply,
‘Truly I tell
you, whatever
you did for the
least of these
brothers and
sisters of Mine,
you did for Me.’”
To learn more about Project Hope
and how to donate, visit showerpower.ms
Hometown RANKIN • 29