I’m a basic, ordinary person. I just try to help people get back on their feet. At Turning Point, we provide people who are experiencing homelessness with a shower, a place to wash and store their clothes, computers in case they want to look for a job. People come one day a week to get help to look for housing or a job, and we do our best to help them and get them on the right track. It’s not a shelter, but we have a place for them to hang out for four hours from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can’t help anybody if they don’t want any help. The agency can play a big role for some people. But in order for us to help them, they’ve got to be able to help themselves, too. I came a long way. I used to be homeless. Then I started volunteering there and have been working there for three years now. It’s located on the third floor of the United Methodist Church. So after Turning Point closes at noon, I leave, and then I go back as the maintenance guy to finish cleaning up on the first and second floors.

Housing plays a critical role in our physical, mental, and emotional health. With stable housing, kids are healthier and better prepared to learn and grow, older adults can live with dignity as they age, and our neighbors can go to their jobs ready to be productive and help our communities thrive. When we look out for one another, we all see #TheNetBenefit. Learn more about access to shelter in Missouri.