Hope Beneath the Bridge

Carl and Nicole moved from Wisconsin to Stuart, Iowa, to better provide for their three kids. Carl got a job working in a warehouse, which allowed him to put food on the table and pay rent. Nicole got a job at the local gas station to try to connect with the community.

Carl and Nicole grew up around alcoholism. They witnessed it firsthand in their parents, uncles and even grandparents growing up. “We’re recovering alcoholics. And that actually was our downfall,” said Nicole. They lost their jobs, their licenses, their kids and finally, their home due to drinking. “What caused us to be evicted was letting alcohol choose and dictate our life for so long that there was no turning back,” said Carl.

They had to call their oldest son for help when they lost their apartment. They stayed with him in the Des Moines area for six months in exchange for helping take care of their grandkids. When they eventually had a falling out with their son, Carl and Nicole moved out and became homeless.

After they were both arrested for drunk driving, they lost their licenses and the truck they were living in. With nowhere to go, they tried living in a park and then finally settled under a bridge in Des Moines. There, they learned how to survive homelessness.

They faced frigid temperatures, hunger, theft and the constant threat of being attacked or having other homeless campers set their tent on fire. “I never thought I would dumpster dive—I couldn’t at first. But I’m just like, I have to feed myself,” explained Nicole.

Keeping food and water was one of their hardest challenges. They faced food storage issues, freezing water and no way to cook or defrost water for drinking.

“Joppa was a huge part of our story … The Joppa Winter Heat Program really saved our lives. You can only put so many blankets on you. You can only wear so many socks. You can only put so many gloves on your hands,” Carl explained. Joppa helped Carl and Nicole at their camp under the bridge twice a week with Sunday outreach visits, food and supplies, and propane heater fuel deliveries on Saturdays. “Without Joppa, we would’ve frozen to death,” Nicole said.

Carl and Nicole were able to get back into housing through the Veterans Administration’s HUD-VASH Program with help from Primary Health Care. Joppa helped them move in and furnish their new home, partnering with The Free Store for furniture. Joppa is also assisting Carl in regaining his license so that they can have transportation.

Joppa volunteers still visit them weekly through the Aftercare Program. “If it wasn’t for you guys, we wouldn’t have succeeded—especially the volunteers … and donors, too. It’s just the warmness, the friendliness … they’re like your family. And it’s nice to have the smiles. And even a hug. A hug is the best,” Nicole shared, holding back tears.

Watch this video for the rest of their story and learn how Joppa positively impacts people’s lives every day.