DONALD

I was homeless for 5-years, living between relatives and on the streets of Cincinnati.  I loss my home, my job and even my family was torn apart because of the disease of addiction.  However, with God’s help and a will to succeed, I pulled myself together and got back on my feet.   I entered rehab, during which time I felt compelled to help other homeless people fight for their lives.  Through my board participation with the Coalition for the Homeless of Cincinnati, I was appointed the Executive Director for the National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, DC the first ever African American, formerly homeless individual to hold that position.   With the tragic loss of my 11-year old daughter “Kadesh” I have somehow found inspiration to continue the tireless work of ending homelessness.  I am also now raising my teenage son and I have 12 years “clean time.”  I too, LIVE IT!