Back to School
As students across the country head back to the classroom, non-traditional students like Russell M. are also embracing the back-to-school season.
Russell never graduated from high school before falling on hard times and ultimately ending up homeless.
“I was chronically homeless. I had nowhere to go. I was staying from house to house, family to family, and on the street. I didn’t have a stable place to call home.”
Russell says he lived in a constant state of discomfort and fear.
“That experience was rough; trying to find food, clothes, places to wash clothes. It was very rough living in that condition. When I did sleep somewhere, I was so afraid to fall asleep.”
After several years of homelessness, Russell was connected with CaringWorks. He says he was grateful to finally have a place to do the basic activities of daily living that people often take for granted.
“I never ever had my own place to live that I could call my own, and CaringWorks did that for me. I could do those things I couldn’t do when I was homeless; eating properly, showering, shaving, bathing.”
And now, Russell has the stability and support to focus on his goals for the future, including earning his GED. He says the team at CaringWorks encouraged him to enroll in school and walked alongside him through the process of signing up for classes.
“They helped me a great deal with that. They took their time out, helping me on the computer. I’m not too good on the computer, but I’m learning now.”
Russell takes classes two nights a week, and says he enjoys being a student.
“I’m very excited. I’m relearning this stuff I was supposed to learn earlier before I dropped out. It can be difficult, but I’m excited all at the same time because the teachers are rooting for me.”
He wasn’t sure what to expect when he went back to school, but Russell says the experience has taught him that it wasn’t too late.
“I was thinking I was going to be the oldest person in my class, but there are people older than I am. And we all get along. We laugh, we joke and help each other out in class.”
Russell expects to finish classes and earn his GED in September, but his goals don’t stop there. He is also working on obtaining a commercial driver’s license to become a truck driver, and he aspires to become a peer support specialist to use his life experiences to help others who have faced similar challenges. He says CaringWorks gave him the confidence and support to set these goals and meet them.
“Being in CaringWorks has afforded me all these opportunities,” he said. “CaringWorks brought me out of a hopeless state of mind.”
Help more people break the cycle of homelessness.
About CaringWorks:
Built on the single idea that all people—no matter their social or economic standing—should have a chance to improve their quality of life, CaringWorks has served thousands of clients since our inception in 2002. Since then we have grown exponentially to become one of Georgia’s leaders in providing permanent supportive housing. We serve hundreds of individuals each year through unique programs and services that are specifically tailored to the needs of those facing chronic homelessness.
Donate today to help us end homelessness.
August 2024