JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Changing Homelessness Telethon was underway Tuesday, and volunteers were ready to answer the phones as they encouraged people to call 904-516-2551. The mission of Changing Homelessness was to help encourage the community to prevent and end homelessness by providing leadership, advocacy, support, standards, and funding.
The telethon ended with an incredible $10,031 raised.
Good Morning Jacksonville Anchor Keitha Nelson had a chance to shadow Ketarah Reed, a case worker with Changing Homelessness who truly understands the needs of her clients. She herself once needed someone to guide her through difficult times.
An average day on the job for Reed includes stepping into someone else's place.
"I know what it feels like not to have a helping hand, I know what it feels like not being able to sustain, I know what it feels like to apply for job after job and no one is hiring me," Reed said. "So, I know personally what it feels like!"
Reed is an army veteran and single mother who through tragedy learned how to stand on her own.
"My boyfriend of five years his name was Louis Nix he passed away, he drowned in a retention pond and because of that financially I was not able to sustain myself and I needed help," Reed said. "I needed severe help."
Nix was a professional football player, his death in February of 2021 made headlines. The security she felt with him by her side was taken away.
"I was a veteran who needed assistance and I didn't know where to turn to," Reed said. "I didn't know of any resources, but I did come into someone who was able to help me and I kind of admire what they did."
Reed's caseworker offered hope and inspired her to pursue a career helping others. She's now a caseworker with Changing Homelessness. Reed says she's driven by the clients she serves.
"I want to be a part of a change," Reed said. "Finding housing, getting the correct resources, especially for veterans because that's my family, you know."
Among her clients is Roxanne Suiter, a Navy veteran who moved to Jacksonville with limited funds, health issues and not much support. She turned to Changing Homelessness and they were able to help turn things around.
"It's been difficult finding a place and getting reestablished here in Jacksonville," Suiter said. "It's just been really hard."
At 57 years old, a mom of five, grandmother of 13, resettling with limited funds felt like a near impossible task.
"You know I'm, I'm getting older," Suiter said. "Relocating and finding places it's getting more difficult."
On top of that, she received disturbing news concerning her health.
"There was a mass found on my lungs," Suiter said. "We're still seeing if its cancer or not."
Reed found her a place to live.
"They paid the security deposit and first month's rent for the place I'm in now and utilities," Suiter said. "Great help. The money is definitely a great help. I didn't have it. I had just started working so the money was a great help."
And as she waits for testing to learn more about her health. Suiter says she now has one less thing to worry about.
"Changing Homelessness does do good for a lot of people, they do," Suiter said.
