Formerly Homeless Emergency Shelter Guest Becomes Donor

Hollis had just moved to the Lehigh Valley from Quakertown and was working at a local restaurant. He was arrested and spent a month in jail before being acquitted of the charges. Long enough, though, to lose his job and housing, which was a month-to-month efficiency.

He came to the Allentown Rescue Mission's Emergency Shelter in September of 1994, and soon enrolled in the Christian Living and Values Program. He stayed in the program for 6 months, then moved into another local ministry, where he stayed for a month. Eventually, he went to live with a friend, which was not a good situation. He admits he "slipped" and needed help.

But Hollis used it as a learning experience. he says he again turned to God and went into a treatment program. Even then, he struggled. In 1996, he returened for a two-week stay in the Mission's Emergency Shelter until he saved enough to rent an apartment. He worked a variety of jobs: in a pizza shop, a car wash, and telemarking at a loan company. This last job opened doors for Hollis, as he worked his way up from telemarker to junior loan officer, to loan officer.

He was able to buy a house, and worked at a bank. Eventually, he bought a second house and continues to rent out the first one. Hollis consistently donates to the Mission through the years, first giving back the clothes he received when he initially came to the Mission. Then, he continued the tradition by donating other items the Mission needed, and as he was able, began donating cash.

Hollus considers it a joy to give back. "if it wasn't for the Mission, I wouldn't have two houses and be drug-free," he says. "The Mission planted inital seeds that the other places watered."