Love Thy Neighbor - Success Stories

Success Stories - Culinary Students

Gary H.
Gary, age 51, was a self-employed home remodeler for 17 years. An injured back incapacitated him and he lost everything. Gary entered transitional housing, which enabled him to attend Love Thy Neighbor's Culinary Skills Training Program. He has gone on to advanced studies in Culinary Arts while working part-time. Gary attributes his success not only the work ethics he acquired while with LTN, but the sense of family, life and social skills as well, which have given him hope for a new life.

Anthony Harrell
Anthony, age 50, was a cook for 26 years but wanted "the paper" to get a better paying job. After completion of Love Thy Neighbor's Culinary Skills Training Program, he enrolled in the American Culinary Federation, to be certified with 6,000 hours. He has completed over 300 hours to date, attending class 6 hours per night, 5 days per week, while working full time in the kitchen at Holy Cross Hospital. The "Serv-Safe" certificate Anthony earned with LTN enabled him to begin his Holy Cross job at a higher than entry level position.

Michelle
While attending Love Thy Neighbor culinary classes, Michelle, age 21, was completing court-ordered programs, counseling sessions and night courses, in order to regain custody of her two children, ages 2 and 6. During this time, Michelle faced several serious medical problems which required hospital stays. She was a single mother whose days were spent getting her children up and ready to go to school and daycare, attending classes herself, picking up the children, studying while preparing dinner and attempting to spend quality time as a family. Michelle was living in a shelter with no transportation but busses available, and her days were stretched to the max.

Michelle's shining moment came when she stood before a judge to see where she and her children would finally land. The last time Michelle had faced the judge and some of the lawyers present, the judge was so outraged at her condition and conduct that he threatened to never let her have custody of her children again. What he saw now before him truly had him in awe. Dressed in her culinary uniform, looking like she never had a past, was Michelle. The judge remarked "Michelle, you are such a bright light in my courtroom. I am truly amazed!" In less that four months after beginning with LTN, Michelle is now moving to her own place with both children, loving each new day of her life and continuing to go forward in her education.

David Yates
David, age 45, one of our culinary students, had this to say about our training program: "I always had the desire to go into the culinary field. I feel God opened this door to the LTN Culinary Skills Training Program and showed me, in my heart, a joy of giving (in preparing meals and serving others) which is 'the gift" He has given me."

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Success Stories - Street People

Gary ("Rooster")
Gary, aka "Rooster," age 50, was a regular at the Love Thy Neighbor feeding sites for several years. Through close friendships with our volunteers support and inspiration, he gradually believed it might be possible to once again go home. in 2003, He reconciled with his wife, Deborah, and moved to their former home in Arkansas. They are now building a second home, right next door to their old one. Roostert continues to keep in touch with LTN every year at Thanksgiving time, to show his gratitude and share his progress,

Robert
Meet Robert, a truly remarkable young man.By the time he was 5-years old, he had been physically and mentally abused by both parents. He was permanently scarred with hot water and was beaten into a coma twice. For 20 years, Robert was housed in foster homes and institutions and ended up with minimal preschool level reading and writing skills. Love Thy Neighbor befriended him a Tent City, got him off the streets, into an apartment, and arranged for schooling at Nova Southeastern's University School, which set up a private program just for him. Robert volunteered for many years with LTN, offering advice and even the shirt off his back to others whose place he was once in,

On the first anniversary of his new life, Robert wrote "Thank you, LOVE THY NEIGHBOR, for all the help you kept giving me. I know if it wasn't for you, I would be dead now. Love, Robert"