This first-person blog is written by CREOKS Housing Specialist, Rebecca Goff. Don’t miss the video below!
Evan Dougoud, founder of BeHeard Movement came to me and told me that he wanted to house a client for one full year with all rent and utilities paid. Our client, Ray was just the person who deserved this opportunity. In Evan’s own words, “Ray has never complained one time – not about the heat, the cold or the food. He would show up, volunteer and expect nothing in return.” In my own words:
“Ray is the type of human we all wish was our friend. The one who has nothing but will give you the shirt off his back to make you comfortable.”
Ray was invited to work the five-year anniversary fundraiser for BeHeard. He showed up in nice slacks, shoes, a BeHeard Polo shirt and hat. He worked all night alongside everyone else. Besides those of us with CREOKS and BeHeard team, no one knew he was without a home. He helped set up, served food and smiled all night.
At the end of dinner, Evan played a video showing Ray. He then challenged the audience and the online audience to a donation. Instead of raising money for a new shower trailer (which is absolutely needed), he asked the audience to instead invest in one person. We needed to raise $12,347 for rent and utilities for a whole year for Ray and groomer care for his dog, Nina. In 15 minutes, we did just that.
Evan worked with Casey at Robinson Properties to get a deal for Ray for a one-year lease for an apartment. Then after the fundraiser, Evan received a call that there was a 1-bedroom duplex opening up November 3 and did he want that for Ray? YES! I helped Ray fill out his lease and sign it. We turned everything in so that he could move in the next day. However, the surprises for Ray weren’t done.
With help from April Reynolds, Snoda Rayburn, Mikayla Hubbard, Sharonde Hunter and myself, we raised more than $800 for food and household necessities. My daughter and I bought him food, supplies, dog food, dishes, shower curtain and little things to make his place feel like home. Snoda scored a bedroom set and couch off Facebook Marketplace. With the BeHeard team, we went and picked it up and took it to his place.
Then my daughter and I spent all Monday evening and Tuesday morning making it into a home. When Ray showed up, he thought he was just coming to drop off the few items to his name. Instead, he walked into a furnished home. With a bed, food, dishes and even a couch to call his own. I have a tradition with every client whom I house. We share their first meal in their home together, as friends, as neighbors, as family. With Ray, we had chicken sandwiches and cookies.
I took Ray to a job interview at Amazon, and recently, I found out that he got the job!