From DREAM to Fruition: Helping People Feel Whole Again
R odney Alexander, along with a group of friends, would feed the homeless in the community, give them clothing, and sometimes house them for a night in a hotel. But Rodney
jobs—changing lives one client at a time. “I'm working with these guys trying to show them that there is absolutely another way. I’m pretty sure they would
soon realized that one night in a hotel wasn’t enough—they’d be right back on the streets with the same problems as before. They needed something more long- term. He and his friends decided: “If we want to do this, we have to fully commit.”
ignore me if I talked to them on the street while they were freezing to death. So, I'm happy to be able to provide them with some shelter and let them take their time to get into a position to sustain themselves.” It starts with a home and regular meals—and hope. “I help them get jobs right away. . . We have certain companies that have
And so, Rodney took action. He researched how to start
a legitimate organization and got a grant from United Way. With that first grant, he breathed a sigh of relief, saying, “Okay, we at least can cover rent for a year.” That gave them time to look for more donors. Umbrella Transition Program is not just about housing—it treats the whole person, from sobriety to mental health, to food and shelter, to
committed to hiring our guys. Coming here and getting a job right away is a big deal. Being able to make money and save money is a big deal.”
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