John is determined to own a home.

“I had this goal before I came to [the Mission],” says John. “I’ve never owned a home, never leased a car. But I want to try to own my own place, something that I can call mine and be stable there.”

When John came to the Mission earlier this year, he wasn’t quite sure how to make home ownership a reality. That’s where the Mission’s advocacy team came in. They shared information about local housing assistance programs and told John what he’d need to do to get started. John, who has been highly motivated since day one, took it from there.

“You get the information, then you go out and do the footwork, and you’ll make it happen,” says John. “If you follow the rules, there’s a lot of help out there. You just have to go out and get it. And you need the will to want to go do it.”

John connected with the Grand Forks Housing Authority, provided his information, and followed up regularly. He submitted his final paperwork last week. By the end of that day, John received his housing voucher, which qualifies him for a partially subsidized apartment in Grand Forks.

Once John moves into his apartment, he will enroll in the Housing Choice Voucher homeownership program. As John saves money, this program will provide subsidiary funds that he can put towards a future down payment on a home.

“I know I am eligible for [the program],” says John. “I talked to the lady [at the GFHA], and she gave me the rundown on what to do and how to do it. Any credentials and stuff she needs, I’m ready.”

John knows that building towards a home is a process, but it’s one that he’s committing to fully. Now on the cusp of moving into his apartment, he is ready for the next step: finding work. John has a plan for that, too!

John has decades of experience in customer service. Apart from some time in construction, he has worked with people nearly his whole life, waiting tables and working in supermarkets, among other things. John is a spunky, outgoing guy, and it’s easy to see why customer service is his profession of choice.

“It’s good therapy for me, interacting with people,” says John. “And I’m good at it. Working in customer service, dealing with people, I have no problem with. I mean, I’ve had some really rude customers at times, serving tables. But I turn that frown into a smile and have them saying, ‘When I come back, I want to sit in his section!’”

With John’s employment history, skillset, and connections, he knows he’ll find work quickly. It’s great timing, too. John has dealt with some recent health issues, but they are improving rapidly.

John has a pinched nerve in his back, which has kept him from moving around much. He has been rehabbing that for more than a month now.

“Three, four weeks ago it was terrible. I couldn’t do anything,” says John. “A pinched nerve, you don’t ever want to get one…they’re so horrible to work with. So, I go to the YMCA and do water workouts.”

The Mission has a couple of YMCA passes for clients who want to exercise, and John has taken full advantage of this during his rehab process. He’s worked out nearly every day for the last two weeks, and his pain has improved significantly during that time.

“Swimming is the best exercise out there,” says John. “And it’s working. I feel a lot better. I mean, [my pain] still flares up, but it’s a process. I’m older, so my body isn’t going to heal as fast as when I was twenty years old, you know?”

Everything seems to be coming together at the right time for John. He has his apartment voucher, his back is healing, he’s ready to work, and he’s eager to join the homeownership program.

“I am going in the right direction,” says John. “It’s going to take a little time, but I believe I can get there.”

John is committed to his housing goal, but he’s excited to just have fun with life, too. John enjoys bicycling, golfing, bowling, having friends over for cookouts, and attending church. If and when John purchases a home in the future, he’d like to continue these things in the town that helped him get there.

“I’ve never really had a letdown moment in Grand Forks,” says John. “I’ve met some nice people here.”

Thank you for giving John this opportunity. To think that he might go from experiencing homelessness to owning his own home…that is exciting! As a friend of the Mission, you will have helped get him there. Your support means he had someone to ask about housing programs. You gave him a safe place, food, and clothing while he worked with our team and the housing authority.

John, as much as any other client we’ve seen, is taking full advantage of the available resources. He is holding himself accountable. That’s why when he says he’s going to own his own home, we believe it.

Thank you for opening your heart to John and the more than 120 other men and women who have found their own home through the Mission this year. You are the hands and feet of Jesus, carrying this Mission forward.‍‍