Making a Difference

"Turn of events was, we lost our house. I ended up renting a room that wasn’t fit for... well, I won’t say. We were just emotionally wrecked. Thank God my kids were done with high school and starting out, but they didn’t need that either, starting a new career and finding out their parents had lost everything they’d worked for. That was back in October 2010. We’re still rebuilding after eight years. It’s been a tough go. So that’s the process I’m doing now, rebuilding. It’s basically like building a house for yourself, putting the foundation down, putting your cement blocks up. I haven’t finished so I can’t explain what’s going to happen next, but I think I’m at the point where the subfloors and the walls are going up, and my foundation seems to be settled, so it’s looking really good. I have to be very proud and happy about that. The Green Wood team’s been great that way, in trying to rebuild your family and, you know, your sense of worth. They made my wife and me feel we were still part of the community, even after what happened. I’d like to say there’s a future, still have a chance of getting a place where I can have a bit of a yard, a bit of privacy, have the family over. I haven’t reached that end goal yet. Maybe never will. But as long as you can see it out there, you’re going to go for it, right?"
—John Hensgens
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Making a Difference is a new series of personal stories by members of the Green Wood Coalition community. Green Wood’s WrapAround life planning makes a difference in a life by supporting individuals to rebuild their lives, 
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You can make a difference by donating to Support Green Wood’s work in Northumberland County. Click here: Donate to Green Wood
📷: Jeannette Breward