Former social worker rebuilds his life from homelessness

Shortly after moving into his own apartment, Charles was feeling optimistic.

“I don't want to sound like a cheerleader, but the future is bright,” he said.

Charles, 64, came to Star Gospel Mission after about 10 months of homelessness.

“It was a brief stay, but what they did was they took me off the street corner,” he said. “It was a clean bed, a shower. It was a chance to shave, and I got my hair cut.”

Earlier in his life, he served as a deputy director of homeless services for the Department of Social Services in New York City. He has a degree in sociology and spent 32 years in social services, starting with home visits as a caseworker before working his way up.

“I've been on both sides," Charles said. "I have to say: It’s a continuing battle. A lot of things have happened to me.”

Exasperating and Terrifying

His tumultuous split from his ex-fiance was complicated by jail time for a misdemeanor offense and his ongoing struggle with a mental health diagnosis he received 25 years ago.

Charles has lived in and out of hotels and spent some time out in the open along Ashley Phosphate Road. He described the experience of homelessness as exasperating and terrifying.

“The terrifying parts were wondering who was around me when I woke up during the night,” he said. “The exasperating parts were: ‘What do I do during the day?’ I would always try to get a job or get enough money to stay in a hotel so I could take a shower.”

Day by Day Progress

He was sleeping on the sidewalk near Our Lady of Mercy when a police cruiser picked him up and took him to Star Gospel Mission. There, he met the Mission’s executive director, the Rev. Dr. Marion Platt, and decided to fill out an application.

“A couple of days later, he had a bed for me,” Charles said.

Finding himself without a place to call home changed his perspective on how precarious life can be.

“It can happen to anybody,” he said.

He's appreciative of the strides he's made, thanks to the support he received at Star Gospel Mission.

“They helped greatly,” he said. “I was able to move into an apartment. Even if it’s day by day, I still made that move. And I plan to progress.”

Learn how you can help provide more men like Charles with the safety and sustenance they need to rebuild their lives.