An American Heartbreak: From Earning $90,000 each year to the Streets

From earning $90,000 each year to the streets, James is a story of American heartbreak.

Working in the auto industry and as an electrician, James seemed to be living on top of the world. He accepted an early buyout, took the chance to go back to college, and graduated only to find no opportunities.

Shelters and abandoned buildings became home to James until he connected with a band of local churches that opened their doors to him and provided him with a daily allowance of two bus passes. More recently, James has been provided with clothing, shelter and a checking account from a program.

Fortunately, he finally is beginning to see light at the end of a dark tunnel.

Asked what he would do if were granted three wishes, James humbly and perhaps surprisingly, acknowledges that he has everything he needs.

Imagine how many more stories could end with hope and promise like James' if we each devoted ourselves to truly solving the issue of homelessness.

James from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.

Special thanks to Solid Ground.

 

 

 

Follow Mark Horvath on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hardlynormal

Comments

[Indra]

11:35 PM on 12/25/2009

You will not find any sympathy out there for people like him. He had it good for most of his life. Many people do not even come close to what he has earned over his lifetime. He believed in and worked within the system and he got to where his beliefs and work have taken him. He will be all right as he has the training and experience that others unfortunately do not have.

[markinaz]

02:25 PM on 12/23/2009

What in the world did he do with 900K? Surely there are other people out there who are true hard luck cases that could be interviewed. This man blew in a decade more money than I will ever see in my lifetime. I'm supposed to feel sorry for him?

[BigShotBob]

03:03 PM on 12/24/2009

$90,000 a year for 10 years, not $900,000. Still, good money, but if he spent it instead of saving it, or if it was invested in real estate . . .

[BigShotBob]

03:04 PM on 12/24/2009

Misread your comment. $900,000 over 10 years is good money, but unless you are 60+ or homeless, you'll see that much or more over the span of a career.

[TXfemmom]

03:22 PM on 12/22/2009

What a good and decent man.