Finding Redemption and Giving Back: Eric’s Story of Transformation

“Radical change.” That’s what Eric Coleman — grandfather, disabled veteran and loyal StreetWise volunteer — has experienced in his life, thanks to the kindness of a stranger.

“When I got out of the military, I had a lot of back and neck problems. I had to have major surgeries — I had my whole back fused, my whole neck fused and a stimulator put in my back,” Eric said. “During that time, I was homeless, I was addicted to crack cocaine and I was living in my car just trying to survive, trying to get as much dope as I could a day. 

“I had been [talking] with the VA for six months trying to get into a rehab treatment facility in Atlanta, but the waiting list was so long that they didn’t have any space for me to go. So while waiting, it kept me in the streets to keep doing drugs.”

In this time of hopelessness, Eric encountered StreetWise.

“It was a Wednesday. I pulled up to the building, met some people out front and they introduced me to Tracy [StreetWise’s executive director],” he said. “He came out and prayed for me, and he gave me a lot to eat. I ate well that night and Thursday, but I just slept in my car for those two days. I was drugged out and tired.

“I wanted help really badly. I just thought about the prayers Tracy gave me.”

That’s when a miracle happened.

“That Friday morning, the VA called me and said they’d found a treatment program in Alabama for me. I was admitted, spent a year and a half there and got my life together,” Eric said.

After becoming sober and getting back on track, the government retired Eric on total disability. Now not only does he have enough to get by, he’s also able to give back as a volunteer at StreetWise!

“I was assigned some community service. I thought ‘let me go back to that place that prayed for me,’” Eric said. “I signed up for my community service at StreetWise, and I don’t have to volunteer here anymore, but I haven’t stopped. I come as much as I can to this place.”

For people who find themselves in need, Eric wouldn’t recommend anywhere more highly than StreetWise.

“The food at StreetWise is so wholesome; they’re not going to give you a brown banana. It’s good and safe and not old; you feel like you’re getting something that’s going to benefit you for real,” he said.

But the food is just where it starts; StreetWise caters to a whole person, a whole family — providing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs at the low price of $0.

“StreetWise is like Walmart/church,” Eric said with a laugh. “You can come here and get your prayer, clothes on your back, food to eat. You can also gain friendship. 

“When you leave here, you get a feeling that somebody cares about you and wants good for you. If you do experience something bad in your life, you’ll know how to take it on with Jesus in your life.

“Like the signs on the front [of StreetWise’s building] — faith, hope and love — we want to make sure you’ve got those in your heart.”

Eric sees the path he’d likely have gone down without the prayers he received at StreetWise. He gives thanks for the blessings he’s received from God — and the chance to give back after receiving help himself. 

“If I wasn’t here, I’d probably have reverted back into a life of drugs, feeling depressed and still homeless living in my car. I maybe would have overdosed or something,” Eric said.

“Coming here is full circle for me; I get to see people in need just like I was in need. Maybe my need was a little bit more treacherous, but I see people who don’t have an addiction but still need help. StreetWise has changed my perspective because I see how people just in regular life need help, and I want to give back and help them. 

“We’ve all got a story. I’m always going to be one hit of drugs away from relapsing. So I have to stay focused, be prayed up and make sure I have a desire to do the right thing every day. 

“Volunteering at StreetWise gives me purpose.”

The people Eric volunteers with have also made a deep impact on his life.

“You don’t volunteer to do something like this without some kind of compassion. I just love the people here,” he said. “You can be yourself. You can laugh and have fun and meet different people through all walks of life. You meet other people doing community service and hear what they’re going through. 

“When you meet someone, you don’t know what their story is. But when you talk to them and they start sharing their life with you… [Many of the volunteers have] been on the same roads — homelessness, being without food, help or anybody to give them a prayer. 

“Everybody feeds off each other to give encouragement; everybody wants to see each other succeed and do right.”

This love radiates to StreetWise’s clients, changing faces from frowns to smiles and helping lift the heaviness of their hearts.

“Clients come in with just a semi-smile, but when they leave here, they’re wide open,” Eric said. “They’re smiling, they’re laughing and they feel good about themselves when they leave. They don’t feel like they came to a place that’s just helping them survive; they came to a place where they’ve gained a family. 

“Everybody I’ve ever met who came here, they always come back again. It’s like a Lays potato chip — you just can’t eat one chip; you’ve got to eat two chips. Once you come to StreetWise, you will come back!”

Click here to watch more of Eric’s story, along with two other StreetWise clients’.