Jeffrey's story will always be special, but the goal of AngelsCamp is to make it far from unique.
1/30/2006
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
My name is Jeffery N. Shipp. I was born and raised in northeast, Washington, DC and raised by a single parent who instilled moral and spiritual values in my life at an early age. Without male supervision and guidance, I began to live in the permissive will of God doing what pleased me. I moved to Concord, NC in 1983 where I began experiencing difficulties in life and moved back to the DC area where I found myself in the state of homelessness. I spent many, many nights on the street. Temperatures get way down below freezing regularly, and it was a struggle just to stay alive, and fed. Many people in DC were freezing to death, over nine people froze to death on the streets of the nations capital in less than that many years.
Within that time period I met David Kassir, a member of Angels Camp who introduced me to the Founder, of Angels Camp, Bret Bocook. These two, together with many other people involved in Angels Camp, took me in and all collectively helped me. During my time with Angels Camp I felt that I was part of a community, a family of people that truly cared about me, and for me. But, they didn't give me handouts. That is against Angels Camp core principles of teaching homeless to help them themselves. This principle of self help is instilled in all those involved with Angels Camp. But, they supported me in learning to believe in myself and by giving very strategic help in many areas of my life.
Angels Camp helped me start my own company. That is right, my own company. I never thought it was possible. One day I was on the street, the next, I was taken into the Angels Camp community and I had over 20 people looking out for me. They bought me a cell phone, helped me buy supplies to start my company, including clothes, cleaning materials, marketing materials. I truly started to respect myself in a way that I had not for years. I became confident and I know have a totally different outlook on life. I make great money washing cars, and I developed a regular customers. Due to the generosity and help of both of these individuals and everyone involved with Angels Camp, I know have a bright outlook for the future, and I am helping other homeless people on the street in my position as Director of Homeless Outreach at A
I am very proud of the fact that the Founder of Angels Camp, Bret Bocook, honored my progress and invited me to join the Angels Camp Board of Directors where I can help pass on to others what was given to me through Angels Camp. I know go out in the community and help others get involved in Angels Camp that are presently in the terrible situation that I was in several years back. It feels good to give back.
Angels Camp has provided me with many opportunities for me to establish myself back into society and the workforce. Through the success and help of Angels Camps I have been earned the economic freedom to establish get my own credit card and transportation. I was trained in maintenance and customer service which gave me a sense of unity and trust among those for whom I worked.
I also went through and a graduated from a 9 month Success Program that was designed by Angels Camp. Literature was provided to me by Angels Camp to help give me vision. I learned critical lessons like how to have a DEFINITED CHIEF AIM in Life, The HABIT OF SAVING MONEY, the need for SELF CONTROL, and many other lessons that have served me well.
Opportunities of success lied ahead of me and those who desired to transition out of homelessness and to be successful in any endeavor pursued by the hard work and commitment of those working for our betterment. I recommend Angels Camp to anyone looking to change their circumstances and get a fresh start in life. Angels Camp provided the necessary steps I needed to take in order to make those needed changes through commitment, faithfulness and a good support system and empowerment.
I am grateful for the faith these two gentlemen placed in me to have a different outlook on myself. I am still on the Board of Directors of Angels Camp, and look forward to giving back to others the same opportunities afforded to me. Please donate generously to this program so others like me who had no hope can become productive members of society by going through the Angels Camp program. We are building a very expensive campus that will house everything that a homeless person needs in one place. Medical, dental, mental help and every other service that someone like me on the street just can't get any other way.
God bless.
Sincerely,
Jeffery Neal Shipp
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Letter from Founder
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