How Cliff reunited with his long-lost brother, Chris, after 15 years apart
A story of brotherly love, a lost soldier, an unlikely Google Search result, and the ingenuity of two formerly homeless residents of the Tenderloin
Cliff and his brother Chris both served in the US Army at the same time (in the air defense artillery 3rd brigade, stationed at Fort Lewis, WA). They were both affected by PTSD. After completing their service, Cliff moved to Idaho and Chris moved to Seattle, and they both fell into addiction.
Eventually, Cliff was able to get help through a rehab program, a year-long faith based recovery program for adults and teens based in the Pacific Northwest that changed his life. But Chris did not get the help he needed — instead, he disappeared onto the streets for the next fifteen years, with only sporadic contact from VA shelters and zero interaction in over two years.
Unbroken and undeterred by their years of disconnection, Cliff (who is now based in Portland, OR) recently called the San Francisco Police Department, desperately trying to find his long-lost brother. While SFPD could not confirm or deny any knowledge of the whereabouts of Chris, they referred Cliff to the San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team to try to help. SFHOT, in turn, referred Cliff to Miracle Messages.
Cliff went on the Miracle Messages website, submitted our get involved form, and asked for help in locating and reuniting with his beloved brother. Miracle Messages’ Executive Director, Jessica Donig, spoke with Cliff on the phone and email, and added the information that Cliff provided to our Find Them form, a new initiative to help families locate missing homeless relatives.
Here is Chris’ original message after he submitted the get involved form :
Thank you Kevin for responding so quickly. My little brother Chris is an addict living in the San Francisco area. I’m hoping to maybe get some assistance tracking him down and getting a message to him. Our family is very concerned for his well being. I myself am an addict in recovery and I remember the hopelessness and loneliness and despair I felt. If there’s anything your organization can do to help connect [us] with him I would be so grateful. Please feel free to contact me: XXX-XXX-XXXX. God bless
Shortly after Cliff reached out to us, he received a phone call from Mark Askins, a professional private investigator and one of Miracle Messages’ lead “Miracle Messengers” — volunteers who serve as digital detectives to help locate loved ones and deliver messages. Cliff provided Mark with some additional background information about Chris, and thanked him for trying to help.
Mark used a criminal records search to see if Cliff’s brother might show up with an upcoming court date or recent arrest (people experiencing homelessness are often arrested, for everything from quality of life violations to drugs, alcohol, and violating the terms of parole. It is basically illegal to be homeless, suffering on the streets, and in need of medical help in most cities).
Miraculously, Mark was able to locate an upcoming court date in San Francisco for Chris! Mark then contacted the SF Public Defender’s office, who put Mark in touch with the attorney working on Chris’ case. The attorney relayed Cliff’s message to Chris.
Yesterday, our two amazing formerly homeless Community Ambassadors, Brian and Beverly, went to the hearing. It turned out that the original address provided was incorrect, And yet our Ambassadors persevered: they had the wherewithal to ask the sheriff at the hearing where Chris might be located, and he provided the correct address.
Miracle Messages’ amazing Community Ambassadors then went to the other courthouse, where they saw Chris walking up the steps. They interceded, and told Chris who they were and that his brother Cliff would like to talk with him. Chris was beside himself with joy as Brian and Beverly dialed Cliff, and put the two brothers on the line together, ending fifteen years of disconnect.
Cliff’s words to his brother Chris: “I love you. I am here to support you. We are longing to see you. We miss you so much. Mom really wants to talk with you. Please take my phone number. And promise us that you’ll call us.”
Here is the photo that Brian and Beverly took with Chris on the steps of the courthouse yesterday. And below are the text messages between Cliff and Brian and Beverly. We hope that this reunion will be yet another reminder that everyone is someone’s somebody, and that miracles are possible when we come together as neighbors. We hope Chris’ reunion with his brother will be just the miracle he needs to know that he is loved and dearly missed, and to help him take the positive steps he needs to reconnect with his healthy self.
