Frank loved Jodie.
Married for 28 years, they raised children and built a life together.
One day Jodie had a heart attack at home. Their daughter Sabrina was there.
Jodie died.
Frank lost faith in humanity. He felt God had abandoned him.
Over the past five years, Frank has struggled with moving forward. A lonely individual now makes life decisions that a joyful couple once made.
Several weeks ago, Frank was on the brink of living on the streets with Sabrina. He reached out for help but initially found none.
“Then I met Henna at Better Together,” said Frank.
While Frank searched for housing, Henna, a program support specialist, found volunteer host families to care for Sabrina. “It broke my heart because I didn’t want to leave her, but I know it was the best thing for her,” said Frank.
Initially, Frank slept on the streets with his suitcase and bathed at the YMCA. However, with support from our Tampa Bay team, it wasn’t long before he was able to stay in a Salvation Army shelter. Later, the ACTS shelter accepted him and placed him on their transitional housing list.
Frank and Sabrina talked regularly. She told Frank the host families were “very nice and made her feel like she was safe.” Henna, along with Ruth Pierce, our outreach director, also helped care for Sabrina. “I can talk to them about anything,” said Sabrina of Henna and Ruth.
Frank and Sabrina recently reunited in a two-bedroom apartment they received from ACTS.
Ruth, Henna, and her family were there, along with Ryan from the City of Tampa.
Everyone thought of Jodie.
Everyone prayed.
Story & Moments by Kinfay Moroti
