Success Stories

Deanna

Deanna is one of our new Middle School clients, added on maybe 2 weeks ago. Yesterday she came by the ACP office at her school to pick up her snack bag, but when her student advocate offered to walk her back to class she just sat there. When asked if she had anything on her mind, she just began to talk. Deanna was very open about her and her mom's situation and all that was going on with her. She was worried that they would always be in "transition" and wasn't sure if she could handle all of the constant moving. She told me she just wanted to have stability in her life. She shared with me that it's hard for her to talk to other people about what she's going through because she never wants to let people see her cry! Her student advocate commended her for being open with her and for being so strong, because she could only imagine how tough it has to be on her. Deanna asked if her student advocate could pull her once a week just to focus on her letting out her frustrations and getting the weight and pressure of her situation off her shoulders! Her student advocate told her of course she can, that's what she's there for! 

David

David is in 8th grade. Being a middle school student the social worker didn't know how receptive he would be. He has two younger sisters in 4th and 3rd grade. She found one of his sisters at lunch and gave her a uniform and school supplies. She didn't get a chance to find him because his lunch had already passed. That Friday a young man came to the social workers office and says " I've been looking for you all week! Apparently you're only here on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays." He was very excited about being part of ACP and very polite. He thanked the ACP social worker several times for his new book bag, school supplies, and uniform. He opened the book bag and saw it was full of school supplies. He kept saying wow this has everything I could ever need. Since that day David comes by almost every day they are at his school. He comes in and asks for things for his younger sisters. When asked if he needs anything he says no. The social worker said "It's really sweet how you can tell he really looks out for his sisters and takes care of them." David's family is currently living in a motel and may be moving into the shelter any day now.

Javaris

Javaris is a brilliant 11 year old. He has three brothers and currently attends Eastway Middle School. At the beginning of September, Javaris was challenged with becoming homeless, his family had to move into a pay by the week motel. Javaris is always in a good mood and excited to see the ACP staff at school. A little insecure about his new braces Javaris finds his confidence in music and science.

Last week when meeting with the ACP staff, Javaris mentioned how he would like to join the band and play trumpet but that he had no instrument to play. After moving into the motel the family had no money to spend on a new instrument for him. The ACP staff jumped on this opportunity right away; posting their need for a trumpet for a homeless middle school student on Facebook. Within two hours there had been many suggestions and offers to help. Three hours after the post on Facebook had been made a couple from Elevation Church had offered to purchase a new trumpet for Javaris. It took just three hours for the entire community to come together to support a homeless middle school student pursue his passion for music.  Within a week Javaris was able to begin playing with the band, new instrument in hand.

His mother has informed his social worker that he has played his trumpet every day since he got it. He is very passionate about learning how to improve his playing and being a member of the band.

This story is more than just the inspiration of a child overcoming obstacles to chase his dreams – this story is confirming the power of a community working together. By posting our need on a social network the entire community was able to respond and spread the word in order to quicken the process of filling that need.