Finding Shelter
Barry is a U.S. military veteran who was severely injured in combat during service to a grateful nation. He receives disability benefits because of his sacrifice, and at one of A Place to Stay’s Supportive Outreach Services events, he discovered that we have a broad selection of other services to help ease his struggle. Disability […]
Waiting For a New Home
For years, Kenny slipped through the cracks of the social safety net. As a young child, he was physically, sexually and emotionally abused and neglected, which led to delayed development, chronic illnesses and more. He reads at a third-grade level, despite having obtained a high school diploma, and he’s painfully self-conscious about his situation. On […]
It’s the Small Things
It’s the small things we tend to take for granted. In March 2022, Gina and Casey, ages 23 and 25 respectively, were sleeping in their car parking wherever they felt safe. They learned about A Place to Stay and enrolled in case management, setting and achieving goals. Having been unhoused for a period of time, […]
Jenna and Brent
Jenna and Brent were right on track, saved their money, built their credit, paid their bills on time…responsible. Then Jenna had a car accident and was hospitalized for three weeks. Although Brent continued to work, the two incomes that met their needs were temporarily reduced to one. Things had been tight, but with their […]
Charles
Charles became homeless after his wife divorced him at age 53. A high school dropout, he worked strenuous labor most of his life and sustained back injuries, disabling, and causing him immense pain. Eventually, he became addicted to prescribed medication. His education was a barrier; he never learned to manage his finances and remained homeless. […]
Mark
Mark Kelly is a long time Blount countian who is on a fixed income. Mark’s rent went up due when his apartment came under new ownership and he was no longer able to afford the rent. He experienced homelessness for months before he came to APTS for assistance where APTS partnered to provide supportive services […]
Martha
Martha was a caretaker for her mother Mary, along with caring for her two children. They became displaced at the end of 2022 when their landlord wanting renters to buy the homes instead of renting them. Martha and Mary are both on a fixed incomes and could not afford to purchase the home. They had […]
What a Lot of People Need
Damin is presently unhoused. As he tells his story of being overwhelmed by the recent death of his mother and now sleeping in a tent without financial resources and access to emergency shelter, his words are interrupted by his soft cries and the wiping away of his tears. “I just can’t seem to stop crying,” Damin […]
When the Rent Eats First
Katie feels stuck in her present living situation. She had been homeless earlier, but now, life is still a struggle for her. She reveals that her place is quite expensive, with activities concerning her safety and well-being. She works 40 hours a week, making a living by cleaning houses, yet finding another home seems impossible […]
A Tale of Many Lives
“I had the best husband,” Shirley joyfully says. “One night after church, a boy asked me if I would marry him.” He was 17, she was 15. “I said that I would have to ask my momma.” She was surprised to learn that he had already talked to her mother. Without transportation, […]