Melissa's Story
Melissa is the mom in the Opportunity, Inc., commercial. She was a real estate appraiser for five years, until the bank finally decided they weren’t processing enough housing loans to justify having a full-time appraiser on board. She was then set loose into a market where the ability to appraise houses simply wasn’t a marketable skill. Her husband, who was a subcontractor for new housing construction, was injured on the job and lost his contracts. One financial disaster after another hit the family, including medical emergencies, escalating costs, and loss of child care. It seemed like no time at all until they had lost everything, including their home, car and marriage.

Finally Melissa heard of Opportunity, Inc., and gave us a call. Her story touched us immediately. During that first phone call, she told me we would have to work around her job interview schedule, since she was applying for jobs all day every day. It was obvious she was doing everything she possibly could to get back on her feet. Meeting her children sealed the deal for us.

Using our network of providers, we were able to secure first temporary housing, then permanent housing, then jobs and child care. We are working out details for transportation. In the meantime, volunteers are transporting Melissa to work and covering the gaps in child care when Melissa works on weekends. The children’s father, who remains close, is hoping that new construction jobs at Eglin will help him move forward with his life, and restore his ability to provide for his children. 

Helping Melissa’s family re-establish a solid footing has been a team effort, with the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Bridgeway Center, Inc. providing leadership. Melissa herself found renewed energy to tackle some of the issues that had been holding her and her family back. The results have been little short of a miracle. 

Those of us who come across families in need have two options: we can turn a blind eye, or we can help. Helping may cost several hundred dollars, time and love, but it can be the salvation of young parents and their children. It may not always achieve the results we desire, but it is certainly better than turning a blind eye, which only creates bitterness and despair, and perpetuates generations of poverty and homelessness.

Already Melissa is giving back, volunteering her family to appear on our commercials and help us raise funds for other families in need. Melissa still has little more than grit and determination, but she and her children have a future.
Sweet Sounds of Spring
Hope springs eternal each new spring, and this spring there is more cause for hope and celebration than ever. For instance, on a single day (March 2), over 20 homeless people found new lifelines. Twelve people got good jobs at a living wage; 22 got professional haircuts, one victim of a serious crime was linked to legal assistance and case management; eight persons got an okay for eye exams and eyeglasses, four got work boots; three veterans were assisted with benefit applications, and a church adopted two people, promising help with employment, housing and essential needs.

Assistance will carry over beyond the single day. The 11 people selected to work at Eglin Air Force Base (11 in construction; one as a cook) have already gotten their background checks and IDs, and were scheduled for orientation. A volunteer veteran has agreed to help follow up on veterans applications. 

Huge thanks go to all the volunteers at Seventh Day Adventist, especially those who set up the work fair; Donna Morgan for her help with the eye exams and boots; and to Westwood Baptist Church.

 
 


Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum Care / Opportunity, Inc.
941-L Central Avenue  |  Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
 Phone: (850) 226-7694  |  info@okaloosawaltonhomeless.org

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