PATH Dallas Hires Hearts for Service

At PATH Dallas we are so excited to be part of the new Homeless Assistance Center at the Bridge, which is scheduled to open shortly.

In just a few months, we’ve recruited, retained and trained a highly diversified population of staff who have been equipped to greet our long awaited guests (single men and women who are homeless). Our staff is diverse and range in age, color, creed, nationality, race and economic status yet, coming together to reach our common goal – to be of service.

During the recruitment process, we searched for employees considered best fit for the new PATH Dallas team. We sought out to find individuals who were experienced but more importantly, have a heart and passion for service to others.

A word on experience. As we examined our definition of “experience”, we wanted a range of individuals that would complement the environment at the Bridge. We hired licensed mental health practitioners, certified social workers, individuals who have extensive backgrounds working in homelessness, as well as individuals who have experienced homelessness themselves. One such person is Chuck Price. Chuck has an amazing life story you will find heart-warming and hopefully will serve as an example of the “soul”, the character, and the depth of our staff’s capacity for service.

As part of a training session, the staff was asked to reflect on their training experiences to this point. They were asked to write down what they think and feel would be helpful for the clients at the Bridge to hear "Words of Wisdom", that would result in them becoming “skilled at living”. Here are Chuck’s comments:

Life is a journey. It’s a journey of the heart. And it’s a long journey. In my personal experience with homelessness – and every other form of trial & trouble in general – I’ve learned that the key to surviving the trouble, and thriving afterward, is to let your heart be nourished constantly with the overcoming faith, hope, and love that comes by way of a personal relationship with God. I personally came to my relationship with God through Jesus Christ. During my homelessness one day, I said, “Lord”, I’m lonely.” Then he gave me a friend. I looked up into the darkness of the predawn night sky early one winter morning, when I was walking alone down one of the lonely and empty streets of Dallas. Seeing the vastness of the heavens, and the infinite expanse surrounding the moon and the stars, I stopped, and thought to myself, “what am I doing out here in the dark and the cold with nowhere to go and no one to be with? Look how insignificant I am in the universe. And no one really cares whether I live or die. Why should I go on?” Then I felt the Lord dose my heart with a gentle ray of hope. And I heard a whisper in my mind, which said, “There is still value in your life. Your purpose will unfold. And there is a brighter day ahead”. With those comforting thoughts, I received the motivation I needed to take a few more steps toward the dawning of the day. Then some weeks later I said, “Lord, I’m languishing out here. This life is bad for me. All I’m doing from day to day is getting bored and fat.” Then a few days later he gave me a job. So, my journey of homelessness has given me a greater capacity of heart to understand and to have compassion for people in need. And to encourage them to believe that their struggle is only meant to be one leg of life’s journey that ultimately leads to a happier heart and a better life.

Chuck’s writings remind us of a great insight –Trials happen to ALL of us. Willingness, perseverance, along with the encouragement of others (faith, intervention, support network), provide us an opportunity to, as Chuck put it – have “a happier heart and a better life”.

I look forward to witnessing the PATH Dallas staff exemplify Chuck's encouraging words and making a difference in the community!

LaTanya Justice Brown
Human Resources
PATH Dallas