St. Joseph Man Turns Life Around after Living on the Streets
By: Sarah Hatten
Updated: November 20, 2012
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) A St. Joseph man has made the jump from living on the streets to pursuing a college degree.
Now, he's starting another new chapter in his life and moving out of a transitional home.
Brian Lewis may never step foot inside his old room at the Juda House again.
"I'll be ready for the next chapter and turning in the keys," said Lewis.
Lewis has lived at the Juda House in St. Joseph for the past three years. Before that, he was essentially living on the streets.
"When I lost my apartment, I had done everything from stay in a storage unit for a number of nights until I saw the opportunity to be able to come downtown here," Lewis said.
The house is designed to be a transitional shelter for those in need. Clients pay a share of their income and dedicate time to volunteer around the community.
"When I first got here, I think everybody's a little bit in the survival mode. When you're in that mode, sometimes it's hard to think of other people before yourself," Lewis said.
Since living at the Juda House, Brian has enrolled full-time at Missouri Western State University, where he is pursuing a business degree.
"They treat me like family so that means that my family has definitely gotten bigger and it was definitely a blessing," Lewis said.
Now, he's starting a new chapter in his life. A church family has opened up their home for him, and he's moving out of the Juda House.
"They offered me a place to stay and it's a wonderful move. It's pretty exciting," Lewis said.
He's grateful for those who helped him get to this point.
"It's been a complete growing process. I've tried to put in as much hard work as I can but I know that I wouldn't be able to make the move that I'm getting ready to without people in the community and the church helping. I know I couldn't do it on my own," Lewis said.
Lewis says he's still going to be involved with Juda House and spend time there whenever he can.
Now, he's starting another new chapter in his life and moving out of a transitional home.
Brian Lewis may never step foot inside his old room at the Juda House again.
"I'll be ready for the next chapter and turning in the keys," said Lewis.
Lewis has lived at the Juda House in St. Joseph for the past three years. Before that, he was essentially living on the streets.
"When I lost my apartment, I had done everything from stay in a storage unit for a number of nights until I saw the opportunity to be able to come downtown here," Lewis said.
The house is designed to be a transitional shelter for those in need. Clients pay a share of their income and dedicate time to volunteer around the community.
"When I first got here, I think everybody's a little bit in the survival mode. When you're in that mode, sometimes it's hard to think of other people before yourself," Lewis said.
Since living at the Juda House, Brian has enrolled full-time at Missouri Western State University, where he is pursuing a business degree.
"They treat me like family so that means that my family has definitely gotten bigger and it was definitely a blessing," Lewis said.
Now, he's starting a new chapter in his life. A church family has opened up their home for him, and he's moving out of the Juda House.
"They offered me a place to stay and it's a wonderful move. It's pretty exciting," Lewis said.
He's grateful for those who helped him get to this point.
"It's been a complete growing process. I've tried to put in as much hard work as I can but I know that I wouldn't be able to make the move that I'm getting ready to without people in the community and the church helping. I know I couldn't do it on my own," Lewis said.
Lewis says he's still going to be involved with Juda House and spend time there whenever he can.
