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The Complete Valpo Shelter History

In 2021, I was asked about an internet URL, valposhelter.org, that wasn't pulling up for my neighbor. After conducting some research and obtaining the same result that he had reported to my now ex-wife, a quick investigative effort (5 minutes) revealed that the website had expired and was available for purchase.

After speaking with my neighbor, Mr. Ed (yes, this is his name, and he's as awesome as they come and also is a Veteran), I discovered that the mission of the site was created by the City of Valparaiso, Indiana (hence the name) to address and solve homelessness among men in Valparaiso within five years. After a couple of years, a political mayoral change happened, the site was abandoned as it (homelessness) was believed "solved." It wasn't, and I don't think it ever can be. More on that later. Mr. Ed worked at one of the many churches that welcomed homeless men and women, and he said it was something that was truly needed and it needed to not go away.

Here's my skeptical mind at work. How can a resource-based website help people experiencing homelessness? Don't they have no phone, no computer, or any way of getting information online? The short answer is yes but with a solid 'no' at the same time. There are libraries and resources I never realized were available. So, yes, a Yellow Pages-style resource where everything is in one central place is genuinely needed. Every non-profit organization may have its own website, but that website doesn't link to other resources people might need.

Like many, I thought homelessness was "someone else's problem." It's not. It's all of our problems, and most of them didn't ask to be homeless. Yes, some are happy being homeless. That was a true eye-opener for me, too. Most would choose not to be homeless. They've been through tough times and don't need our pity. They need our love and support (and that's not necessarily monetarily).

After conducting some research, I discovered that there was indeed a genuine need. I recreated the website with the exact same information it originally had. Once the information was all posted online, I contacted each of the original listed sources. There were only a handful of resources as it only covered Valparaiso, Indiana. After updating the necessary information I felt my job was done.

As I sat with a couple of the local churches during the first few weeks, I learned of a more profound need beyond homeless men and a lot more resources that were never listed "for political reasons." As such, I expanded to cover Families, Women, Men, homeless veterans, Food pantries, housing assistance, healthcare, churches, and warming/cooling centers within Porter County, Indiana, where Valparaiso, Indiana, was located.

I started talking with these non-profits, churches, and charities that helped. I love speaking, especially listening, to each of these stories and missions these organizations were offering. Some are sad. Some are happy. Ultimately, they all share the same goal of making the world a better place for everyone who needs and wants help.

I then began exploring local housing opportunities in Valparaiso and discovered that, despite their funding, they, too, needed help getting the word out. I filled in additional gaps that they wished they could do but were unable to because of board decisions or that they would lose their local/state/federal funding (e.g., this is where the politics kept creeping into the conversations). With this new passion in myself, I was determined to help. I committed 10% of my company revenue from Fawkes Digital Marketing to this project. I do ask private individuals to donate as it does help to support the project. After months, we raise around $100. That taught me that people were willing to support and share for the cause but not to help monetarily. This I would have to do on my own. People wanted to help but not pay. So, I asked them to share the site and information about it, to provide me with resources they found so I could add then. I decided to let my company and my personal accounts cover the costs of the site's operation and growth.

After the first month, word started to get out, and we had covered all of Porter County, Indiana, better than any of the local organizations. We had moved from a single city to our first full county. I began receiving calls from a neighboring county requesting assistance. Lake County was the first (well, second) and was the catalyst for the growth I had not anticipated. I realized the need was even greater than my awakened mind had previously understood. I researched, created the information, and then a call from La Porte County, Indiana, came through. This passion project was becoming increasingly needed. I understood why people might be frustrated with just one or two countries. This continued when I actually said, "Fuck it," and completed all 92 counties in Indiana, thereby stopping the requests. This was as foolish as the City of Valparaiso thought that enough was done that the problem would "magically fix itself (insert John's sarcasm and headshaking). The concept Valparaiso came up with was brilliant yet narrow-focused.

After covering the entire state, I received three phone calls from families in need. We chatted on the phone, and I pulled up the site. I helped get them the resources they needed. They had no clue such a resource was available. I needed to think of ways on getting the information out there and how to get more information on the site. It's all about getting the word out. They were able to find food, housing, and even jobs. I had truly accomplished something amazing in my life and had completed the central part of the project, moving into a maintenance mode for it.

In 2022, "life happened" to me. My friends called for an intervention as they saw my health deteriorating, severe depression, and just a loss in the purpose of my life. Many didn't see it but those that cared did. I had lost the drive and motivation they had come to expect out of me. Those who truly knew me could see it and actually help. The intervention was only supposed to last a couple weeks to wake up my spouse that the abuse was too much for a man to handle. It lasted longer than expected. Nothing good comes easily, is all I told myself. You must work at it and trust in what God brings into your life. I even lost a bet with my friends on what would happen during the intervention. Today, I am even more thankful as I have learned who my true friends and family are.

I moved South to my best friend, Tisha, and her husband Aaron who live in Hanceville, Alabama. I was now technically homeless even though I did live with them after a short stint in my car. This would be my second time homeless, and I was genuinely depressed because of it. They have been my saviors during all of this. After being in the South for just a week, I realized the need to help more than I did when I was in the North, particularly after being assigned to the canceled project. The weather, new friends who gave me hugs (more on hugs later), and strong encouragement were some of the most significant catalysts I needed to reignite my passion and add fuel to move my life forward again.

I need to cover "hugs." This is what I call "Gifts from God." You receive a huge dopamine rush with them, and it taught me people truly do care. After years of being denied hugs and genuine human contact, I learned what I truly needed in my life.

This new ignition did more than just make this project; it also benefited my company, Fawkes Digital Marketing. Starting in January 2023, everything that had been kindling in my mind was now coming back to a full passion. Valpo Shelter was going to get a complete revamp, and I was going to take it nationwide.

If you've read this far, I want to "thank you" and wish the blessing of God onto you (whether you believe it or not, he's got you!). This is ultimately who I am. I will no longer allow anything to stop me from helping those in need. Is it a big undertaking? Yes. Will I solve it by myself? Nope. It will take all of us working together.

To this day I have averaged over fifteen hours per week with the fall and winter seasons doubling that number. It truly does fill my soul with happiness. If you wish to give it does help as I will use it to get more resources, buy ads to get the word out, etc.