Staring at the front door of PRM, all Lyle could think before walking inside was, “I pray this place is not like the last one.”
Years ago, while living in Alabama, he spent a brief amount of time in a homeless shelter while transitioning jobs. That was his first time needing to visit a shelter, and Lyle describes his time there as “awful.” It's heart-breaking and unfortunate that this is true for many who experience homelessness around the country. By the grace of God, this was not Lyle's experience at PRM.
“Coming in I was distraught,” he shares, “but after a couple hours I felt safe, secure, and thankful to be here.”
Lyle was referred to PRM by the Veterans Hospital after spending ten days in the ICU. He had recently moved to the Peninsula after accepting a position as an aircraft inspector with a company based out of Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport. “I made it through my first day of training, and suddenly I'm in the hospital being treated for massive blood clots in both lungs and my right leg,” says Lyle. “As a result of my time away, the company had no choice but to terminate my contract and move forward due to their need.”
Lyle's situation is not unique. PRM sees many men who move to the area for work, leaving family and other connections behind in order to do so. Then, when circumstances change quickly, what little safety net someone may have erodes quickly without income. To this point, Lyle says, “Lots of guys don't have a drug or drinking problem; life just threw them a curve ball like it did me. They desperately need help and want to turn things around. They just need a little motivation, a safe place to stay, and some encouragement along the way. That's all it takes.”
And that's all it took for this determined Air Force veteran (four years). With nearly three decades of experience working on aircraft, and also a two-year break employed as a stage tech doing light and sound for the bands Kiss and Motley Crue, Lyle knew he had the skills to get back on his feet.
“While in the hospital, I posted my resume on Indeed and was immediately contacted by Avelo Airlines in New Haven, CT. Upon my medical release, I found a public library to take my mechanical aptitude test (which I passed) before checking in to PRM. A couple of days later, the staff at PRM set me up in the chapel for a video interview with this company, and I was offered the position of Chief Inspector! If it hadn't been for this place bringing me in, I don't know where I would be. I would not have had this opportunity. I could not have done the things they needed me to do if I was out on the street.”
During his stay Lyle has continued to get his health back. “Mainly my appetite,” he says with a laugh. “This is probably the best I have felt in months. PRM gave me stability. Gave me peace of mind. Made me feel no matter what brought you here that you are still accepted. That is a good feeling.”
Lyle was able to secure a bus pass and line up veteran’s housing in New Haven. So, how can you pray for him? Well, he shares, “I don't want Satan to creep in and mess this opportunity up. I would like to get settled and find a way to pay it forward. If I run into someone needing help I want to say, 'All this came to me once before, so let me help you out.'”
Your generosity allows us to create a space where guests experience the love of Christ through a clean, well-maintained facility. We believe this is crucial not just for an individual's restoration, but for our gospel witness as well. Thank you for supporting PRM and providing dozens of men like Lyle with a new opportunity.
