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“I would like to thank you for helping me with my exodus from New Orleans. Your conversation and kindness I will never forget. Thank you.”
Tom was stranded in New Orleans for almost a week after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. He finally swam to the Interstate and then began walking and hitchhiking out of Louisiana. When he got to the Birmingham area he was directed to Travelers Aid. He wanted to go to his mother’s home in North Carolina. Tom had not spoken to his mother since before the storm hit and she did not know where he was or even if he had survived. Travelers Aid placed the call and Tom was able to talk to his mother and reassure her. Travelers Aid provided bus fare and meals for Tom to go to his mother’s home.
“This is a long time coming but thank you again for your help when I was stranded last year. I believe it was November or one other of those chilly months. I hope this little extra can help someone else out.” ($50 included with letter)
David worked and saved most of the year so that he could travel and “see the sights” for a couple of months. He was on his way home to South Carolina when he was robbed of his last $60. Travelers Aid called his parents who welcomed him to return home but could not help with travel expenses. An uncle was on his way to Atlanta to meet someone on an incoming flight. If David could get to Atlanta he could meet his uncle at the airport and catch a ride home. Travelers Aid assisted David with a bus ticket to Atlanta, subway fare to the Atlanta airport and a meal.
“A very special thank you for your generosity. I don’t know what I would have done if God hadn’t sent you to help me. May your blessings be multiplied seven fold.”
Maggie moved from Birmingham to a safe shelter several counties away to escape domestic violence. She described her husband’s treatment of her as emotional terrorism and said he had repeatedly threatened to kill both her and her teenage daughter. The shelter they had taken refuge in closed and Maggie was forced to return to the Birmingham area. She was terrified that her husband would discover she was back in town. Travelers Aid put Maggie in touch with her family in Florida. They encouraged her to come live with them but they were not able to help with travel expenses. Travelers Aid was able to assist Maggie and her daughter with bus tickets and meal expenses and to get to the safety her family offered.
“I sincerely want to thank Travelers Aid for purchasing my bus ticket last week. I now have a beautiful home to stay in until I get on my feet, lots of support and an opportunity to establish a life here. Also, importantly, I begin a job Monday morning. I feel truly blessed to be here. It is the sort of chance I was needing, and I intend to make the best use of it. Please know I am extremely grateful to the Travelers Aid Society. I can imagine the decision to grant assistance is not always an easy one, but in my case it made all the difference in the world to my safety, well being, and the opportunity for a successful future. Thank you so very much.”
Twenty year old Jack was left homeless after his mother was imprisoned. He hitchhiked to Birmingham because he heard he would be able to get work here. He had been living on the streets for about a month when he was robbed and beaten. Jack was brought to Travelers Aid by a street youth outreach program. Travelers Aid helped him contact his uncle in Missouri. The uncle welcomed Jack into his home and Travelers Aid provided transportation and meals to get him there.
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