Rodney’s Story

Rodney’s work history goes back to high school – back to when he began to live on his own. Over the years, he’s worked in security and in food prep for hotels. Four years ago though, unemployment jumped into the mix. Rodney was left without a job and a home, and found himself in the shelter system.

Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen was the first soup kitchen Rodney came to, and he still relies on it as he puts his life back together one step at a time.

“Holy Apostles has helped me in so many ways, especially since food stamps have been cut. If it wasn’t for that, I’d be in a lot of trouble. Everything is going up.”

Last year, Rodney decided he needed to get the kind of training required for a job that  not only offers a paycheck, but security and benefits as well. After taking classes and studying hard, he took four tests, earning his commercial driver’s license on December 18th, 2013.

“No question about it. If it wasn’t for the soup kitchen there was no way I could even have food in my stomach,” For Rodney, food in his stomach meant he could  study, drive, pass the CDL license and start the process of applying for more competitive jobs than he had ever dreamed of having in the past.

The most surprising part to Rodney? The amount of hard work, time and negotiation that’s required after one has a license! “Things actually got harder. Most jobs have a lot of applications,” says Rodney. Often times, he had to go back multiple times to speak with different people for the same job.

While he’s been looking for jobs he’s continued to rely on the soup kitchen. “Without eating here there’s no way to survive. Bills, rent, storage, mta – there’s nothing left for food after that.”

Today, with perseverence and Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen everyday, Rodney is excited about his new job as a school bus driver, which started this past September.

“I still need to go through some hoops, get training and learn the routes,” says Rodney, who is hoping to eventually drive for the MTA, a private bus company like Greyhound, or even the Sanitation department. But now, with the help of the soup kitchen, he has faith that his future holds has much to offer.

Joel’s Story

Joel first came to Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen early in 2014 as a volunteer. It was a cold winter and the 36 year old native New Yorker wanted to help his neighbors in need. Little did he know that only a few months later, after losing a job he had held for many years, he would be the one in need of help.

“The job was off the books so there was no unemployment insurance when they let me go,” explains Joel. “I knew about the soup kitchen from volunteering here and I knew it was a good place and that they could help me.”

Joel knew he could get a nutritious lunch at the soup kitchen, but he got much more than that. As he came to rely on us, he saw how others were helped by our counselors, he heard of people finding jobs and housing. So when he had lined up an interview for a job this past August and didn’t have any suitable clothes to wear, he asked our counselors for help.

“They helped me out so much,” Joel recalls. “They gave me this nice shirt, khaki pants, shoes. I looked really smart and I got hired!”

Today Joel works for AM New York but he hasn’t forgotten the soup kitchen and he comes here to volunteer and give back as often as he can. His experience over the past year has motivated him to build on his skills and work towards a more stable career. Next year he has plans to go to Hunter College to study accounting and finance.

“I’m turning things around,” Joel says, “I’m reading a lot online about succeeding in business, about needing to be focused and make sacrifices. Coming here and volunteering helps me learn to put these things into practice.”

John’s Story

John remembers eating at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen about nine times before the fire in 1990. Back then,  meals were served in the annex of the church. John was living at Bellevue Men’s Shelter and a friend told him he could find a good meal here. A lot has happened since the turn of the century, and John’s come a long way. With the help of the support programs at the soup kitchen,  John hasn’t been homeless for about seven years and now lives in Section 8 housing.

The volunteers, staff and other guests have been role models for him.“I came for the food but I got nourished spiritually, even mentally,” he says. “I’ve become very resourceful… how to be more patient, noticing people who worked here. I’ve gained humility, patience…and I can negotiate now.”

John’s encounter with someone at Holy Apostles who went out of their way to be kind sticks with  him to this day. “I remember when the social services was out of a trailer outside. It was about Christmas time and one of the workers was walking through. She gave me a very nice coat, and a referral to a thrift shop with a voucher for more clothes. I got a great new pair of boots that really made a difference.” This was a turning point for John. He knew  he could count on the support offered here, and began his journey toward permanent housing.

John has experienced many social services settings over the years and the warm welcome offered by volunteers, as well as the feeling of community among guests, offers  a change of pace from the “cold, clinical atmosphere” he’s experienced elsewhere.  John, who likes to read Christian and Islamic scripture believes that if all places “could reach out socially like Holy Apostles, the world would be a better place.”

As he finishes his bowl of Tabatchnick soup John smiles and says, “The food is always delicious, the place is so clean, and the people are so nice here.”

Michael and Curtis

Soon after Michael  started coming to Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen he brought his friend Curtis. As a team these two make lunch here a part of their daily plan to “keep things positive”.

Michael had heard about Holy Apostles  from another friend of his and immediately noticed all the work that goes into its success. “It’s a really upbeat atmosphere. The volunteers are excellent and always have a smile. No one looks down at you.”

The two are putting their lives back together one day at a time with area support groups starting at 6:30 a.m. Michael’s been “struggling with the transition”, but is determined to fill each hour of each day with positive activities, fellowship and interactions. Coming to to the soup kitchen is a part of that routine. “The more things I can do [to stay busy] the better,” he says.

Michael was able to get a haircut through a voucher program at Holy Apostles and, he says, “When I’m hungry I’m assured I can come here. I’m very grateful.”
He is also hopeful about the future. “If you stay on the right path, opportunities are everywhere,” he says, adding that he would like to start volunteering at the soup kitchen as well.

While Curtis finished his chicken soup, salad and an ice-cream pop he remarked that he is thankful for the “real food” served here every day. “It doesn’t have to be just bread and water,” he says, referencing his evening meal.

Along with the continued support of generous soup kitchen friends, these two friends make each day count.

Andrew’s Story

Andrew, 24, has been homeless since he was 3 years old. His grandmother, one of the only positive influences in his life, passed away when he was just 18 years old.

“When my grandmother died, I lost all hope,” Andrew says. “I came to New York City homeless, depressed, and not knowing where to turn. I’m so grateful that I found Holy Apostles.”

Andrew recently got out of 45 days in prison, and is ready to get back on his feet.

“It’s rough in jail, there’s a lot of fighting going on. It was a really bad experience but I was able to be a positive role model for other people,” Andrew says. “It helped me to put things in perspective. I’m ready to get my life back together.”

With our help, Andrew has been proactive about taking steps toward independence, and has remained hopeful about the future. “Holy Apostles helped me to get an ID card and Social Security card,” Andrew says, gratefully. “I’m not just a homeless guy on the street. I spend most of my time working to get back on my feet.”

Andrew has continued to come here over the years because he loves the community. “I really like it here. If Holy Apostles wasn’t here for me, I don’t know where I would go,” Andrew says.

Turning Point

The gust of cold wind greeted Negus Ruba as he stepped outside the Farmer’s Mission Church. He buttoned up his tweed coat and flung his hood over his head. The old tenement buildings of the Lower East Side lined the sky on the right. On the left, the ritzier, glittery lofts of SoHo slung the sunshine for a minute, blinding him.

Ruba took a few more hurried steps north. Up ahead, the Empire State Building jutted into the skyline a giant syringe. For some reason, Ruba felt different this morning – he felt strongly about something he could not pinpoint. But one thing for sure, he felt as if the day had greater things in store for him, although he could not understand or even explain this feeling of optimism.

Often, he would be depressed. He loathed his life, his homelessness, and the stench of the bodies of the homeless men who came to the Mission every evening to be fed and to sleep.

Ruba slowed down and stopped at the next traffic light. He waited impatiently while the early morning traffic filtered through the golden light. The sun cast blood-red rays east of Houston Street. The entire sky glowed red and animated by the glorious rising of the sun. For a split second Ruba felt its warmth.

He sauntered across the street as soon as the “walk man” signal came on. He hunched his shoulders against the freezing wind, taking meausred steps across the wide thoroughfare. Half a block away, a dog walker came around the corner. Ruba felt his body getting tense. He avoided the dog and its walker by slinking a few feet away on the opposite side of the pavement.

Almost instinctively, the dog – a pit bull – started barking at him uncontrollably. He knew from the dog’s barking that it was vicious. Dogs and homeless people are never friendly.

He strode on, feeling relieved to walk past the dog. His feeling of optimism suddenly hit him again. Today will be a turning point, he thought.

By King Molapo