Shane’s Story

Shane never imagined he would one day find himself sleeping on the streets.

He had grown up in a stable family north of Atlanta in Pickens County, was involved in church, and had a steady job for a marble company. But when he became disabled, his life turned upside down.

“That was hard, as a man, accepting that you can’t work anymore. Or you can’t do as good as you used to do,” Shane says.

Without a home and without hope

He was so despondent, he attempted suicide. One thing led to another, and he found himself in Atlanta with no place to call home, something he never imagined he would experience.

He remembers one night he spent trying to sleep on the steps of a church on Ponce de Leon Avenue, with everything he owned in one backpack and one duffel bag. He never imagined he would be one of the people that before, he would pass by.

“I slept with my arms through my backpack and my head on my duffel bag because I was scared to death it would get stolen,” he says. “Even as big a guy as I am, I was still scared that somebody would come in there and try to take my stuff.”

When Shane learned through a friend that there might be room at The Shepherd’s Inn at Atlanta Mission, he jumped at the chance. He says his experience has been eye-opening.

“Now I understand”

“Before I came down here, if I saw a homeless person, I’d cross the street. But now, I understand,” Shane says. “I always thought people that didn’t want to work were shifty and just wanted people to give them things. But a lot of them, it’s just people that had one piece of bad luck and they’ve ended up here.”

Shane has served in several roles during his time at The Shepherd’s Inn. He’s currently serving as the receptionist at the front desk and welcomes new clients. Shane’s looking forward to reuniting with his sons, getting a place of his own and finding a job he can physically manage.

“Every day, I can’t wait to get back home so I can see my boys and be with them,” he says.

He’s also looking for opportunities to get connected with a church to give back through volunteering.

“It’s brought me closer to God.”

While he is eager to get out on his own, Shane is thankful for his time at Atlanta Mission.

I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world,” he says. “It’s brought me closer to God. And there’s a lot of good guys here. I’ve made friends that I think I’ll keep forever.”

Thank you! Your generosity helps make inspiring stories like Shane’s possible and helps those on their journey of rediscovering hope at Atlanta Mission.