Jeff looked out the window of his studio Emmaus-owned apartment at Evergreen Place and watched the birds flock to his bird feeders. He smiled and explained that he just added some thistle seed to attract finches. He then turned his attention to the flower boxes below his window.
“I put petunias in last year,” he said.
Jeff first came to Emmaus four years ago. A former iron worker, Jeff said he “aged out” of the trade and found himself without a job.
“Nobody wants to hire an old man,” he said matter-of-factly.
Without an income, he couldn’t afford his rent. For a full year he lived outside. But living on the streets took its toll on him and he contracted pneumonia.
Jeff was hospitalized. The case workers suggested he find a shelter, and he found Emmaus.
“I came here with nothing,” he said. “The people were nice and I didn’t have to sleep on the street. I am just so grateful. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t found this place.”
After spending some time in Mitch’s Place shelter, Jeff moved into Evergreen Place. The staff helped him apply for social security. As a result, Jeff has been able to save some money and buy things to spruce up his place including a TV and some cooking appliances. He was even able to buy a guitar and amplifier—two things he has wanted for years.
Jeff speaks fondly of the Emmaus staff and is especially thankful for their assistance in helping him get his COVID vaccine earlier this year. He explained he has health factors that make him “high risk” if he were to contract the virus.
“They’re good people,” he said.