In Their Own Words …..The Trip
“FROM HOMELESSNESS TO HOME”

     My name is Greg Parlor.  My story is that because of bad choices that I’ve made over the years, plus having an addiction problem that I’ve battled over the years, I once again found myself homeless in a completely strange city to me- York, Pa.

     Tired, angry, hungry, depressed, disappointed in myself, lonely, broke, I vowed to do something about my situation.  Arriving in York in Feb. my only choice considering my status was the emergency men’s shelter.  There I was told about York’s Helping Hand for the Homeless.  Answer to my prayers.  My starting point.

     They first help me by providing me with a mailing address, which I used to receive my Pa. ID from Harrisburg and my last pay-check from my previous employer via Lancaster.  Next they helped me get about 2 weeks stay at the Men’s mission.  This was extremely helpful because after getting my Pa. ID and after they helped me with a bus ticket to go to the Social Security building, I stated work within that next week.  I spent one month at a recovery house on Madison Ave., which turned out to be a 15-minute walk to my new job, what a blessing.  I also have gotten to know some of the folks at York’s Helping Hand and for me that's big, because one of the problems I’ve had over the years was not meeting or getting to know people.  I was always your basic loner.  Over the next few months, I’ve done O.K.  For the first time in 5 years, I’ve got my own apartment.  Over the years, I’ve always been alone and I’ve always been satisfied with a room or renting a room from someone I knew.  So this is really special to me, being where I am now. I have my own phone, cable and utility bills, all in my name.  See for someone like me, who have lived a certain life style, this is a big-time change.  And to top all this off, the company I’ve been working as a temp to permanent full time has recently hired me.

     I’m making $10.00 hr., the most money I’ve made in my life in years.  And recently I’ve been re-united with my son and x-wife.  Now this is a big time blessing.  I’ve also resolved my child support issues with the courts without going to jail.  I feel real blessed there.  The one thing left that I truly want to do is join a good church.  I believe that’s going to happen soon.  I’m very grateful and thankful to York’s Helping Hand for the Homeless because I’m convinced that it’s by their caring and support that I was able to be at the point that I am at Now.