My Journey Back into Housing
by James Varas
Special Contributor, Stewpot Writers’ Workshop
I have been to many places and seen many people. I have been with many streetwise people and known many hustlers and gangsters. I thought that was what I wanted since girls seem to like a strong man who can fight just about anyone.
I learned survival skills and how to fight went I went to a military school at age 15. I had every intention of becoming a Navy Seal, but I quickly learned that dream would be put on hold for a greater calling. Jesus Christ pulled me out like an injured lion and showed me true love and happiness. My life was transformed. I was a new person.
James Varas
You can love Jesus Christ, though, and still choose the wrong paths. I did that and had to endure hardships, eventually becoming homeless. I ended up there after my stepdad died from cancer and my mom died from Covid.
I had lived with them but was evicted from their place. I took to the road, living in my Cadillac. After a month or two in the car, I decided to call my dad, who traveled around the world, and ask him for help.
I made the drive from San Antonio to Dallas. Like the prodigal son returning home, I was immediately groomed and cleaned. First thing was stripping off those filthy clothes and taking a shower. Next, I lost my beard and cut my fingernails.
My dad is a perfectionist and I saw his great joy in his son returning. But, as he dressed me in his wardrobe and took me into his house, I knew I would have to get rid of my dogs. I couldn’t do that, so, after hearing about The Bridge in downtown Dallas, I went there. I could keep my dogs in its kennel.
I spent seven months in the “wolfpack,” where people from the streets stay until they move upstairs. (I say “wolfpack” since these are people off the streets and many are just getting out of jail.) I want to say over a hundred people sleep in a large open building side-by-side, like a chess board except all the spaces are filled.
You have to be strong and stand up for yourself and your brothers and sisters that might be weaker. I viewed this experience as being a shepherd looking over the sheep. We are all trying to get a roof over our head and the hope of getting a year's housing is great hope.
After seven months, I was moved upstairs.
Oh, what a difference. You have a bed you can sleep on anytime you want. You have a plug and a light above and beside your bed. A locker is provided along with a rollout desk on your locker.
I pursued school at El Centro College while I was waiting on my housing. Then, during my ninth month, my housing came through. I began searching for the perfect home base so I can start my trucking career.
Several places would invite me in, but you need to find a place that is affiliated and familiar with the housing vouchers. One place was amazing but knew nothing of the program. Another place denied me because I was a student. The last place was the prayer answered and a blessing in disguise.
“You have to be strong and stand up for yourself and your brothers and sisters that might be weaker. I viewed this experience as being a shepherd looking over the sheep. We are all trying to get a roof over our head and the hope of getting a year’s housing is great hope.”
Yet I needed to come up with $1,100 to get in. My financial aid and my parents helped get that. It took me almost three months to finally get a place, but it was worth the wait.
I remember sitting in a park watching a dove build a nest, but he was so picky looking for the perfect branches to build its nest. I began to think that was me.
I am in, though, and it is definitely worth the wait. I have a view of a beautiful park and there is a dog run. I enjoy writing in my new place and having a quiet place to study since I have enrolled in another semester of school. I am learning how to be a chef. I am excited. I just picked up my laptop and my culinary chef bag.
I feel like one of those people on TV who received a house for their loving family. Now that I have a solid home base, I plan to finish college and then pursue my trucking career. I had a very strong vision of this. That is why I feel I must sometime in my life fulfill this dream.
I am drug free and I am very thankful each day for tremendous blessings that are given to me. I thank my Heavenly Father, my beloved Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. I feel like Joseph in the Bible, going from the pit to the palace.
James Varas is a writer in The Stewpot’s Writers’ Workshop.
