Terry with his Advocate Brittany and CEF Co-director Maggie!

We first met Terry in January of 2017 when he was staying in the shelter at IFC. That day he told us his goals was specifically, “to complete the 12 opportunity class and take advantage of all the benefits that come with it. I’m ready to get started with the savings plan. I’m ready to start with the laptop savings plan, and use savings for security deposit once I secure a unit.”  Three months later he had accomplished his goals and wrote this story to share with the CEF Community. 

May 09, 2017

My name is Terry Eaton, I am a disabled Veteran. I was born in Wake Forest, North Carolina.  My Grandmother raised me, for my parents. They were divorced. So my childhood was pleasant, as I grew older I began to hang out with friends that drink and use drugs. Mind you I was raised well but made bad choices.

My Grandmother made sure I went to school and church, she was a Christian lady. Bless her soul. I graduated from high school but dropped out of college after the first year. I got a grant, didn’t make good grade’s there; again bad choices followed me. I eventually joined the United States Army, managing to keep myself together in order for a better life for myself.

During that time I lost my real father, my mother had remarried long before.  I went on with my life but I began to abuse alcohol and drugs. I became a patient in rehab centers in different States trying to overcome that Demon. It just wouldn’t let go. Even today I am a gratefully recovering addict and I thank God for my life changes. At one time I was a convicted felony, but today, I haven’t been in any legal trouble in over 7 years because of faith and belief in change.

I pray each day to my higher power to guide me and show me the way he wants me to live.  Today I am a member of White Rock Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina where I am a resident. To get to where I am today is a miracle within itself, and the IFC Shelter and the CEF  (Community Empowerment Fund) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina gave me most of the spiritual belief that things would get better for me.

This is how I got there, from my last and hopefully never again relapse from the Demon  I mentioned earlier in my story. They are great people there at both organizations, who care for men and women in need of a second, third, or an even fourth chance at life. I know because I was one of those men, who reached out for help and they gave it unselfishly. I thank all of you. Today I have a new apartment and am about to start classes at Durham Tech, in Durham, North Carolina. Soon I will be getting back to work. God is merciful.

P.S. I hope my story was inspiring to whoever needs hope.

Good Luck!!!