The Contributor newspaper means more to me than just having my own business — that in and of itself is huge.
When I first arrived at The Contributor, it was because someone at the bus stop told me about it. They told me I could write for the paper. I had just finished a course with the American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI) and had zero luck with LinkedIn. So, I was in a deep depression, sleep deprived without knowing it and out of money. I was living in my camper, which now had electricity but no running water. I was in a safe place in a friend’s backyard, but everything was still very hard.
I had been through the fire of Gatlinburg in 2016, been gaslighted for defending a rape victim and kicked out of one of the only worker-affordable tin shacks available post fire.
Fortunately, I had a few long-term friends in Nashville who financed and donated sweat labor to get me into the city by mid-October 2018.
I slept for a month in my friends’ spare bedroom, getting up only to do chores and cook.
Unbeknownst to me, I had and have structural sleep apnea, so recovery at my age was proving impossible. I was 58 years old.
However, I took a job within walking distance, at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. They only had cashier number one available as a position.
Rough work, but I couldn’t be choosy.
Then we all know what happened: COVID-19.
I was so traumatized — not only from the loss of my Ollie’s job and other immediate job opportunities that I could do but also from tent living, then camper rehab and then camper life without running water or electricity — that I didn’t immediately absorb what The Contributor had to offer me.
Tom and Justin in the vendor office interviewed me. It was pretty traumatic recounting the story and trying to get down to the source of the homelessness, but I got through the training, a delicious free lunch and free papers, which I immediately went out and sold. I was back the next day with some cash, helping to pay for things at my new campground in my friend’s backyard.
The Contributor found me food stamps, a driver’s license renewal and an apartment within nine months of my starting with them. I was able to start writing within the first month, and the editors kept paying me to publish my articles, poems and artwork.
The huge boost in self-esteem was immeasurable.
I wasn’t really willing to take an apartment because I felt I wasn’t in the worst position — I wasn’t sleeping on the curb. But Justin pointed out to me that older people are more likely to die from homelessness at an early age. That got me moving! When he showed me where I might live, and I noticed there was free swimming right next door, I jumped at it. I knew that my terrible new aches and pains could be alleviated by floating and moving in the water.
I was instantly relieved by being able to float each day and make new friends immediately. Everyone was so friendly!
The Contributor people always treated me as a partner in my life goals and always admired and respected my efforts. In spite of being technically self-employed, I felt I had a huge team of people behind me. And I do!
Next, The Contributor found me medical care and psychological care. This is how I learned that I needed antidepressant meds, anti-anxiety meds and finally, a sleep machine. Structural sleep apnea is not curable. I will need this for the rest of my life.
You could read one of my articles titled “The Spooky Side of Sleep” (Volume 18, Issue 23) if you would like to know more about how crucial this is. It affected my entire life. It truncated my abilities and opportunities.
This is one of the reasons I appreciate modern medicine, even though I ascribe to healthy eating, herbs and wild foods.
Next, about two years into inhabiting my apartment and after attempting a part-time job which I failed because of sleep apnea, my boss found me a different part-time job as an art teacher with far fewer hours but higher pay — after I got my sleep machine. I’m doing really well with it.
Next, The Contributor asked me to be on the leadership team. They asked us what we wanted to name it, and I think we finally decided on “focus group.” Then, I was invited by The Contributor staff to be on a local NPR show about homelessness. I am now training to lead the Unseen Nashville tours.
Finally, I joined the poetry group led by Joe Nolan. This is funded by an independent group that I really appreciate, because it has helped me to grow as a writer and to bond with other Contributor vendors. Then, we had a real delightful bombshell! Stagger Press came in and offered to help us make zines.
Since then, I have met fellow artists from outside of The Contributor, as well as bonded more closely with artists within our group and people who want to tell their story.
I also have a backlog of people who would like to be interviewed that I’ve met either on the street or in activist groups that visit us here at The Contributor every other week.
My life has truly grown into what I wanted to be. And rather than be grateful, I am exhilarated and appreciative of all of my colleagues at The Contributor.