Mike Devereaux understands this mission all too well.
A monthly donor of St. Vincent de Paul Louisville, Devereaux’s son, Jonathan, was homeless.
“This organization is a mission that feels deeply to me,” Devereaux said. “I have a son who was homeless for six-and-a-half years who suffered from dual diagnosis, schizophrenia, and substance abuse. We tried to get him housing at St. Vincent de Paul, but he wouldn’t go through Coalition for the Homeless.”
Devereaux’s son turned a condo into a drug operation.
“It became a druggy den, they trashed it, and I had to evict him. We had to let him go homeless until we felt that he could handle a facility,” Devereaux added. “He wouldn’t go into the shelters, so he was in the elements every night. And you know how bad some of the winters and summers are here. It’s been a real struggle.”
Devereaux has seen firsthand the devastating effects of homelessness. It’s easy to assume the worst when we see someone sleeping on the streets or struggling with substance abuse. It’s a lot harder when you hear their story.
“My son went off and made the wrong choices when he was 15 after he lost his best friend to a heart condition. They were very close. He lost three close friends to a drunk driver at 16. Then, he lost his sister—our daughter—at 17. She was a senior at Southern Illinois University. When she was at the hospital, they gave her an overdose of Tylenol and it shut her liver down. From then on, he’d have periods where he did well, and then he’d go off the deep end.”
Devereaux’s son is currently on the right track.
“We bought a condo for him over off Bashford Manor and so far he’s doing well,” he said. “He has Social Security Disability, was able to have a debit card, and he was able to eat.”
Unfortunately, unhoused individuals are not always ready to receive help, but that doesn’t mean we stop trying or give up on those in the thick of it. People like Devereaux’s son are a good example.
“I see the challenges that we have in this world, and we have to give back. That’s the only way that I feel is the answer to helping out. We’re not going to fix everything, but we can certainly make a difference,” Devereaux said.
Devereaux is one donor making a difference. He is using the pain he’s experienced to shape how he invests his time, talents, and treasures.
In 2018, Devereaux volunteered at the Food Pantry. He then joined the Finance, Audit, and Thrift Stores committees because of his background in finance and retail. He oversaw renovations at Waypoint and now at Ozanam Inn Men’s Emergency Shelter because of his experience updating older structures. A retired employee of Hunter Fan Company, he donated fans to the Open Hand Kitchen
and Waypoint.
“I’ve been a monthly donor for a while and I don’t even miss it. It’s part of the monthly budget. You have to look at what you’re going to get in return and what you’re getting in return is that
dollar magnifies itself tremendously. St. Vincent is at a crossroads. There’s a tremendous amount of overhead. St. Vincent absolutely needs people to step up … It’s hard to run an operation like this when you’re in the hole at the start of every month and depending on the generosity of people. If you have monthly commitments, that hole diminishes.”
Join our Good Samaritan Monthly Donor Program
Devereaux is one of many monthly donors who we count on to “keep the lights on.” To keep housing Veterans. To keep feeding families. To keep tutoring children. The need does not stop.
“Occasionally we get a huge gift from somebody in a bequest, but we never know if and when that will come,” Devereaux said. “What we need is that monthly sustainer. That’s what keeps the organization strong, viable, and growing.”
That’s why we ask you to consider being a part of our Good Samaritan Monthly Donor Program. The Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us that neighborly love transcends racial and social boundaries.
Since our founding in 1853, our donors have been Good Samaritans “moved to compassion” (Luke 10:33).
In Luke 10, the Samaritan didn’t walk by or pretend like everything was OK. His generosity changed this man’s life.
Your generosity can do the same for single men like Britt. Women fleeing domestic violence like Rachel. Senior adults like Bill. Children like Laeya. Veterans like Tim. You are helping them take a step forward in their story.
There are three ways to give monthly: debit, credit, or ACH (Automated Clearing House). You can join today online at www.svdplou.org/good-samaritan-monthly-donor-program/. If you have any questions, or would like more information, reach out to Bex Willenbrink at rwillenbrink@svdplou.org or (502)
301-8695. As our thanks to you, we will send you a free “I am a Good Samaritan” magnet.
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