Homeless Man Gets New Apartment and Keys to Car After 13 Years Trying To Get off Streets
After 13 years on the streets, an Antioch, California, man is getting his own home and car to take him wherever he needs to go, according to a report by KTVU.
Kenny Edward, 61, also affectionately known as Papa Ken or Uncle Kenny, has always been the one to take care of his homeless friends. He is known to have a heart of gold and a fatherly nature that protects those he has come to know and love.
Edward found a life on the streets after his parents passed and their family home was in probate. His family was separated as a result. Edward also has health problems with a non life-threatening brain tumor diagnosis, but refused treatment because he could not recover on the streets.
Jamie Garza has known Edward for three years and has much to praise the man for. She told KTVU, “He looks after everybody, but he especially looks after the younger women who are often neglected and abused. He will tell these girls who to avoid, who to stay away from.
“The streets of Antioch are rough,” Garza continued. “When we go into rough territory and when he’s around, we breathe a sigh of relief. He just knows how to speak with people. He always knows to calm things down, and he has an innate wisdom about him.”
Garza’s charity group, Love in Motion reaches out to the homeless in Antioch by providing hot meals, clothes, and other necessities.
While Edward would show up to meet Garza and her team, recently his appearance marked a very special day. That day, Edward had a home to call his own.
“He came to the outreach to show off the keys to his new apartment,” Garza told KTVU. “He said, “‘I’m not here for food. I had shrimp alfredo and cooked my own dinner in my own kitchen!’”
While Edward’s homeless friends were ecstatic for the man, this was not the only surprise he was about to receive. Garza’s charity had also set up a GoFundMe page to help Edward.
The money raised from the campaign was enough to purchase Edward a used Chrysler.
“He pretty much fell over,” Garza told KTVU.
With the assistance of Nichole Gray Percoats from Facing Homelessness, Garza was able to help get Edward back on his feet again. Together, they used $1800 from the GoFundMe page to purchase the car. With the leftover money they purchased groceries and covered other costs such as rent, vehicle registration and taxes.
The two also have plans to help Edward find employment and assist with his finances. Garza has offered to pay Edward’s car insurance for the next six months while he looks for a job. He does have plumbing experience but is open to any type of work.
Edward will live only a half mile from where he stayed when he was homeless and plans to pay it forward to others in need. Congratulations Uncle Kenny and welcome home!
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