Johnny was struggling with homelessness during the hottest time of the year.
“In Washington the winters are bad,” Johnny says. “But then when the summertime comes there’s really nowhere to run or to hide.”
He remembers dripping with sweat, feeling like he was baking alive. It was impossible to cool down in the sweltering heat.
“When you’re living in a tent, it’s like being in an oven,” Johnny shares.
He knew if he passed out it could be days before anyone found him – alive or dead.
He had to do whatever it took to stay cool and hydrated . . .
Johnny had to walk a mile just to get clean water. And he could only get what he could carry. Without access to a shower, these daily treks added to the layers of sweat caked on his skin.
Imagine — you’redehydrated, hot, sweaty, smelly and hungry day after day. It’s horrible and it’s dangerous.
“Those were the moments I would think to myself, ‘I’m never going to be able to get out of this. I’m never going to get out of this tent.’”
But Johnny did get out of that tent. And found refuge at the Tacoma Rescue Mission.
Thanks to the support of friends like you, Johnny received much-needed water, shelter, food, showers and personalized care.
Working with a case manager, he was able to move into permanent housing which allowed him to reunite with and provide for his unsheltered family.
Today, when Johnny clocks out of his landscaping job, he has a home to go to.
He knows that when he gets there his wife, Stephanie, and his children will be waiting for him. They’ll have fresh, clean water and food in the fridge.
“I feel that this is a truly safe place for myself and my family,” Johnny proudly shares.
Because of your support, Johnny found refuge from the streets and summer heat, and was able to build a new life.
