BEYOND the HEART
2026
Next Stop: A Place to Call h o m e R obert never stopped working—but he lost almost everything. Even as he continued driving a school bus each day, divorce, declining health, and mounting financial strain left Robert without a place to live. For a week, he slept in outdoor bus shelters, enduring heat, rain, hunger, and uncertainty—then showed up for work the next morning. After his divorce, Robert lost contact with his son and was not allowed to see his granddaughter—a loss that still hurts. As his health continued to decline, hospitalization became unavoidable, leading him to New Life Center. Through Medical Respite and the Harbor Program, Robert found what he desperately needed: safety, care, and stability. He went from sleeping in a bus shelter to having a bed, meals, clean clothes, and a place to heal. Dignity returned. Hope followed. Today, Robert continues driving a local school bus while taking steps toward permanent housing. Each day, he sees reminders of his own granddaughter in the children he drives—a relationship he deeply misses and carries with him. At 79, the future can still feel uncertain, but Robert remains hopeful. His journey is a powerful reminder that homelessness can happen to anyone—even those doing everything they can to survive—and that when heart meets action, stability and hope are possible.
“I found a place that cared for me. Now I’m ready to move on.” Robert, Harbor Program Guest