Jerry

Jerry became homeless after he lost his job in 2006. “I collected unemployment, but it ran out,” Jerry said. “I received help from a couple of people and tried hard to find a job, but there was nothing out there. Eventually I was out on the street.”

He had been living down by a Milwaukee river for a couple of years when he was approached by a producer working on a United Way video showing the real problems of people living in the Greater Milwaukee area.

Jerry agreed to be featured in the video and was put in touch with Community Advocates, and United Way program that provides support, guidance and case management to people who have no home.

Soon, Jerry was sleeping indoors, and moved into his own apartment in December 2009. Through Community Advocates, Jerry also received access to health care for the first time in quite a while, and was able to get a physical and new eyeglasses.

“I feel better. I am not in a box, but it’s only the first step,” Jerry said. “I am still not in the place where I want to be.”

“I don’t want to rely on anyone, I want to be myself. My most important goal is to find a job and be independent. I think that’s everybody’s goal.”

Everyone deserves opportunities to build a good life. United Way provides urgent resources to help people overcome immediate challenges and works to break the cycle of poverty by helping people build better lives.