Journey To Success: One Woman’s Experience at Endeavors’ Reveille Retreat
Last Updated: 10 Aug 2020

When all hope seemed lost, Endeavors’ Reveille Retreat helped Lorraine get back on her feet and find the path to flourishing. 

For anyone experiencing homelessness, the world can feel like an unkind place. This is why Endeavors is committed to providing as much aid and assistance as possible to men, women, and families who find themselves in a tough situation. 

Most of the time, when we provide clients with tools and resources, we are inspired to see the way they take the wheel to create a new life. 

Case and point: our friend Lorraine’s amazing story proves that recovery is always possible. 

Finding Help: Lorraine’s First Step  

Lorraine was a single mother living in North Carolina. She was struggling to find a job and was receiving only a minimal amount of child support from her two-year-old son’s father. As a result, she found herself living in her car and dealing with the struggles that come with experiencing homelessness. 

Not having basic amenities such as a shower or kitchen, among other necessities, while trying to raise a young son created a stressful situation. Still, Lorraine found time to volunteer at the Salvation Army, Operation Inasmuch, and her local food bank. It was during her time volunteering at the Salvation Army that she heard about Endeavors’ Reveille Retreat. She found out that Reveille Retreat’s mission was to help people in similar situations as her. She jumped at the opportunity and got in contact with Warren Riley, the program’s director, to learn more about it. 

Reveille Retreat: A Beacon Of Hope 

Endeavors Reveille Retreat, located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, serves women with chronic illness, disabilities, or mental illness and their children by providing supportive housing, rental assistance, life skills training, and other useful services. Lorraine went in for an interview and was accepted into the program. 

When Lorraine first moved in, she recalls being withdrawn as her social skills had been depleted. As a result, she initially didn’t socialize with the other residents, and though she kept to herself, she found herself in a verbal altercation with her neighbor in one of the few interactions she did have. However, after that incident, things began to take a turn for the better. 

The staff invited Lorraine to group meetings with the other members of the Retreat, and she began to open up and become more friendly with the other residents. Eventually, her son joined her at group meetings. These positive communal interactions were critical for Lorraine to redevelop the social skills she lacked upon first arriving at the Reveille Retreat. 

As Lorraine became more involved at the Retreat, she developed into a role model at the house. Residents are required to do daily chores, and while everyone is not always so enthusiastic about them, Lorraine would often do her share and then some. She also frequently volunteered for extra chores to help out around the facility. 

She continued to work hard to better not only her life but her son’s life as well. She went to parenting classes, life skills training, and attended daily living skills classes. The classes assisted her in gaining the ability to create a stable life for her family. 

“Lorraine was able to come a long way in a very short period of time,” recalled Riley. 

As a result, Riley advocated for her during her job search, and, after spending a year at the Reveille Retreat, Lorraine was able to secure a job with Volunteers America. 

Homeless Prevention Program Helps Lorraine Thrive

Once Lorraine was back on her feet and ready to move out, Reiley connected her with a newly constructed affordable housing community in Fayetteville. Thanks to Endeavors’ strong relationship with Cumberland County, the residents at Reveille were given first consideration once the community was constructed, giving Lorraine the opportunity to move into a brand new, two-bedroom apartment with her son.

Endeavors Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) provided Lorraine with the apartment’s security deposit and rent for a couple of months. HPP also assisted with the utility bills for the first few months as well as helping partially furnish her new place. 

Proving that with a little bit of help, success is possible, Lorraine and her son are now thriving. With a place to call her own, financial stability, and the skill set to navigate the ups and downs of life, Lorraine’s story is one that makes us proud to do what we do.

Endeavors Services in North Carolina

Endeavors has two other programs in Cumberland County that help people experiencing homelessness. The Bonanza Project provides permanent supportive housing, case management, rental assistance, life skills training, and other supportive services to individuals and families in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The program serves individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or mental health issues. 

The Enfield House provides similar services to low-income adult men with disabilities. The goal is to help these people achieve a stable, successful life, empowering them to be self-sufficient. 

How to Get Help 

For referrals or admission to the Reveille Retreat, please contact the Housing Coordinator by phone at 910-672-6166 ext.244 or by email at [email protected]. 

For more information about the Homelessness Prevention Program, please contact 910-302-7650 or email at [email protected]

If you would like to help more people like Lorraine, please visit https://www.endeavors.org/ways-to-help/ to donate today!    

 About Endeavors

Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit www.endeavors.org.