Every so often, we can see a real impact in the lives of the neighbors we serve. This is especially true this time of year when so many families are just trying to make it to the end of the year in the hope that the new year will be better. This is the story of Jonathan and Tina. 

Jon, as he asked us to call him, requested to be contacted on our website several weeks ago. He was looking for help with his rent, utilities, food, and diapers. He had not been working for a couple of months and was having difficulty finding a job that would let him take care of his teenage son, who is homeschooled, and a new baby. His wife, Tina, works at a doctor’s office in Knoxville, so they only have one income.  In short, he was struggling to provide for his family. 

When a volunteer called him back to set up an appointment for him to speak with a coach, he was unsure of what to expect, but he came in with the documentation he was asked to bring. Once he had an appointment with a coach and was able to tell his story, the coach realized he was eligible for our Mentorship program and asked our Mentor to speak with him. 

It soon became clear how intelligent Jon was and that he could easily provide for his family if he got a higher-paying job instead of working the third shift in manufacturing. This had been their routine with Tina so that their son could be homeschooled and one of them would always be available for him. That worked until the new baby was born, and Jon had to stay awake to care for the baby while Tina was at work during the day. They decided that Tina’s job was the best one and that Jon would stay home.  As the months passed, bills started to pile up until Jon began doing some research online. That is how he found GNBC.

GNBC helped with their utility bill, and they made an appointment with our Mentor. They both enrolled and have begun working on a plan for Jon to get a certification for computer coding. Once he finishes, he will be able to work from home during the day and take care of his kids. They also got several resources to help with small things like diapers and food. Their willingness to put in the work is starting to pay off, and the future looks bright for this family!