Harvest House Resident Receives a Special Gift Over the Holidays.

by Erin Minor

Access Unlocks Opportunity

Oftentimes, we don’t think about the value of stable transportation, but owning a vehicle unlocks endless opportunities for all. Access to a car allows you the freedom to travel anywhere without relying on others. The convenience of getting to work, school, or the grocery store in your own vehicle makes life a lot easier.

Transportation

One Harvest House resident set a goal to purchase a car once he reinstated his driver’s license. However, financing a vehicle would mean another expense for a family already on a tight budget. James and his 13-year-old son came to Harvest House in April 2022 after struggling to find affordable housing in Sarasota.

Unfortunately, James’ family didn’t have transportation, so Harvest House provided them with bus passes and bicycles. But, even with their help, taking the bus and biking took a toll on them mentally and physically.

Losing Time

Since moving to Florida from Philadelphia, James has been utilizing the public transit system to travel to and from work. Until recently, the father worked in Bradenton, which took over four hours on the bus each day. Four hours a day for five days a week is a lot of time. James would much rather have spent that time with his son, but providing for his family always came first.

Drive and Determination

James continued to work hard and save up for a car. Eventually, he was able to reinstate his driver’s license after being without it for over five years! James was one step closer to reaching his goal of purchasing his own transportation. Little did he know, he was about to receive a gift that would make a massive difference in his life.

When Jack and Claire Eff of Davenport, Florida, contacted Harvest House about donating a car for a family in need, they had the perfect family in mind.

“I’m totally taken by surprise; this is the greatest program. Everybody has been nothing but great to me and my son. It was by pure luck I ended up here, and it’s probably one of the best things to ever happen for me and my family.”

Harvest House Master Case Manager Dawn Stahl says James is not only humble, but his heart is filled with gratitude. He was content with a safe place for his family to call home. And now he is the owner of a beautiful 1993 Volvo. Harvest House staff were extremely honored to gift this car to James and his son during the holiday season!