Finding his way with a helping hand
Meet Prophet
Prophet is a member of the Iowa City community who is committed to finding a sustainable career and starting a family with his girlfriend, but challenges with his health have derailed his plans so far.
Along his tumultuous journey searching for a job, a home, and long-term health care, Shelter House has been there to feed, house, and support him.
Finding his way
Prophet first came to Shelter House Iowa in late 2014 for a forty-five-day program designed to put him back on his feet. Shelter House helped him find an apartment and paid a portion of his rent for six months while he searched for long-term employment.
Soon after, in April of 2015, Prophet found a job with a sales and customer service company in Iowa City. Unfortunately, cuts to support and service staff at the company put Prophet back on the job market.
Pursuing a career
When restarting his job search, Prophet pursued the training he needed to find a long term career.
He was tired of working inconsistent, temporary jobs that last less than a year with uncertain hours and unreliable pay. It was hard to make ends meet, and he felt unfulfilled.
Prophet made it his goal to become a professionally trained semi truck driver (a current area of extreme shortage).
Life intervened
Within the past two years, Prophet began having diabetic seizures. At one time, he spent an entire week at the University of Iowa Hospitals.
After a speedy recovery, he learned that the insulin he is required to take and his low blood pressure make him ineligible to drive semis. He was forced to adjust his plans for the future.
Shelter House is there for him
While disappointed and exhausted from his time in the hospital, these “minor” setbacks did not stop Prophet from pursuing the fulfilling career he desired. With the help of Shelter House, he plans to attend Kirkwood Community College and become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA). In the next few years, Prophet hopes to become a traveling CNA, propose to his girlfriend, and start a family.
Shelter House has helped Prophet persevere to where he is today
And Shelter House will be there to help Prophet accomplish his goals tomorrow. The programs, resources, and opportunities Shelter House provides to people like Prophet have helped him find his way through a series of sudden and unforeseen challenges.
With Shelter House’s help, Prophet is now ready to reroot himself in this community and find a long-term, gainful career.
If you have something to give
Shelter House is raising funds to help support hundreds of people like Prophet each year.
As part of the work for this story, ActWorthy spoke to people without homes who have travelled thousands of miles to make a life somewhere. They find more than a roof and a bed at Shelter House in Iowa City.
Please help Shelter House continue its essential work. Every dollar goes directly to Shelter House, and all transaction fees are covered. All donors receive a special gift from Yotopia and ActWorthy.
This campaign is sponsored by Yotopia. Make our community a Yotopia.
ActWorthy partners businesses with nonprofits to create campaigns that encourage people to take action in their community.
Are you interested in taking action? Visit actworthy.org.
Are you a business owner or marketing professional interested in doing well by doing good? Email ross@actworthy.org.
