Thanksgiving III (of III)

A dedicated volunteer gives back
By JENNIFER SHEACORRESPONDENT
Published: Thursday, November 27, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.

Once a client, Jessica Lines now volunteers 30 hours a week at Resurrection House, a resource center for the homeless.

Lines, 27 -- a single mother to Kyle, 7, Jayde Green, 5, and Markeyl Green, 4 -- battled drug addiction and homelessness. She conquered both in the past 23 months.

"Resurrection House really helped me; they put me in a hotel, helped me get an apartment, and helped me with a deposit for lights. They gave me clothes and bus passes so that I could go on job interviews."

Lines credits Resurrection House and Season of Sharing for enabling her to provide the recent stability that allowed Kyle and Jayde to achieve honor roll status at Booker Elementary School. Markeyl is enrolled in Head Start.

Kyle, Lines explained, is old enough to comprehend the hard times that his family has endured. "Kyle knows what is important," she said. "He has seen Mommy mess up and do it the hard way." As a result, Lines said, he understands the importance of an education.

Lines did not complete her schooling. She held a series of temporary jobs but, when she became involved with drugs, she became unemployable.

She overcame her addiction and has applied for employment at several stores and, through Jobs ETC., a host of other employers.

Lines dreams of a career as a certified nursing assistant. She is applying for grants to pay for her education; she needs $297 for tuition and $87 each for four books.

As the holiday season approaches, Lines' thoughts are simple; a job, improving her employment prospects, feeding and clothing her children and perhaps a few presents for them.

"My kids are so loving and sweet. They need clothes for cold weather, they are growing so fast."

Kyle has asked Santa for a PlayStation. Her girls asked for Care Bears and art supplies.

(P.S. I work with Jessica each time I am at Re House jmp)