Our Resident's Stories
For each of the six weeks of the annual Tents to Rents Campaign, we have prepared a vignette about the work at Camp Hope. Camp residents access services to support their physical and mental health, secure jobs and job training, and rebuild frayed social networks. While financial support is available to help people transition to stable housing, Camp Hope’s operational expenses are solely covered by the Tents to Rents Campaign.
We hope you will find the interviews very enlightening! Thank you for your support!
MARK
The Tents to Rents Campaign funds the operational costs of Camp Hope, as the camp is not eligible for federal, state, or foundation funding. Camp Hope provides a place for people to heal.
Mark had a landscaping business and has lived all over the US, including for a time in Florida while he took care of his dad until he passed away. He didn’t inherit anything from his dad because they needed to sell the house to pay for medical bills, and he spent about a year living outside before finding a placement at Camp Hope a month ago. The staff have helped him secure a government ID and his next step is to visit the Social Security office, because he qualifies for SS due to his age. There are other steps ahead of him, including trying to open a bank account, purchase a phone, replace his lost EBT card, and secure housing, and he is grateful to staff for their guidance in this process. He really wants to have a phone, so he can follow national news and keep informed about global affairs, which interests him very much.
Join us in helping people experiencing homelessness find a path to a better future. Support Camp Hope by donating in the name of one of our partners at the Tents to Rents website.
Residents' Stories from Previous Weeks
HEATHER, JESUS, AND THEIR DOG BUFFY
Camp Hope is a way station where people can build a safety net while waiting for access to stable housing.
Heather and Jesus have been together for nearly 20 years and have three children who are staying with their grandparents as they sort out housing issues. They are proud of their children who are all doing well in school and note with pride that their eldest aspires to be a doctor in order to help others. Heather enjoys her job at a local grocery store, but her income isn’t enough for most rentals and is hoping they will qualify for a housing placement with the help of Camp Hope staff. She said the hardest thing about experiencing homelessness is the disrespect of others who judge them and assume they are bad people. Even when they were just resting in the shade in a public park, there were teenagers who taunted them and threw eggs, and others try to scare them when they are crossing the street by revving their engines as if they are about to run them down. They are grateful for the safety and support of people at Camp Hope while they figure out their next step on the road to stable housing.
Join us in helping people experiencing homelessness find a path to a better future. Support Camp Hope by donating in the name of one of our partners at the Tents to Rents website.
TONY AND HIS DOGS REX AND LITTLE DOG
Tony rescued others, and in turn was rescued himself.
A year ago, as he camped along the Rio Grande River, Tony saw two small children being swept away in the swift current. He jumped into the Rio, as did the children’s grandfather, and Tony was able to pull the children to safety, while sadly the grandfather perished in the river. Tony’s heroism was recognized with a commendation by the City of Las Cruces. Tony knows about close calls, now off drugs for nearly two years after a dozen years as an addict, he credits his dogs as his faithful companions and emotional support, which has helped him stay on a path of sobriety. Being able to keep his dogs safe in a kennel in the Camp allows him to ensure they have food and water while he leaves the camp during the day to work at landscaping jobs. Tony recalls being in shelters with his parents from age six, and camping alone as he was older, all of which were very difficult. His six months in Camp Hope is helping him maintain his sobriety, find meaningful work, and work to do God’s calling.
Join us in helping people experiencing homelessness find a path to a better future. Support Camp Hope by donating in the name of one of our partners at the Tents to Rents website.
LINDY & CHARLIE BOO-BOO
“I never thought I would be homeless.” Lindy and her sweet dog Charlie Boo-Boo joined the Camp Hope community two months ago and is relieved to be in a place where she is safe and getting support for her physical and mental health. She moved to Las Cruces when her parents retired in 2000 and has worked many jobs, sometimes three part time jobs at a time. She was staying in a house that caught on fire and had only enough time to save her dog and alert her sleeping friends to escape, and found herself homeless without even a change of clothing. With the support of Camp Hope she is finding space to work on her issues, and said she enjoys being a support for other residents who have greater struggles.
She knows her late mother would be proud of her focus on being a positive influence on others, just as Charlie Boo-boo is a source of positivity for her.
Join us in helping people experiencing homelessness find a path to a better future. Support Camp Hope by donating in the name of one of our partners at the Tents to Rents website.