01/18/2026
Please read this man's story.
We Rise Above the Streets Outreach Recovery.
I was homeless for 10 years. I slept outside. I used to sleep behind a small church in a tent ⛺ because it was dark and quiet. I thought nobody knew I was there. Every morning, I’d wake up, walk to a gas station to wash my face, and then I would go find some food and basic stuff to get by, or maybe even try to find a job where someone pays cash because I didn't have any ID. (Yes I was homeless, I had a job, just couldn't afford rent). One night, it was freezing.
4 degrees. I had a small portable heater in my tent it wouldn't start to run the heater. I was shivering so hard my teeth hurt I started to cry. I saw the back door of the church open. A janitor came out to dump the trash. He saw my tent crack open. He saw me huddled in the front of the tent. He didn't call the cops. He didn't come over and tap on the tent. He just walked back to the door, unlocked it, and propped it open with a small rock. Then he turned on the hallway light and left. I waited ten minutes. Then I ran inside. It was warm. There was a couch in the lobby. There was a bathroom with hot water. I slept there every night for the rest of the winter. Every night, the rock was there. I never met the janitor. I never thanked him. I’m back on my feet now. I have a house. I have a bed and now I'm the Executive Director of a non-profit organization here in Syracuse called We Rise Above the Streets Recovery Outreach Inc. But every year on the first snow I distributed thousands of winter coats, hats, gloves, and hand warmers. Additionally, I prepared and served hot meals and made sandwiches with the amazing and beautiful hearts volunteers at our event, Sandwich Saturday. I do this every Saturday throughout the year. Furthermore, I collaborated with the community to provide housing for the homeless and families in need. Sometimes the loudest way to love your neighbor is to say nothing at all. Thanks for letting me share my story!❤️