He found LIFT after seeking assistance within the Perry Center and using LIFT's facilities to fax paperwork and make phone calls. He was intrigued by the other people working intently with young advocates at computer stations throughout the office and inquired about LIFT's services. He scheduled an appointment and had his first meeting with Becca, a LIFT-DC advocate. She explained to him about how the job search landscape had changed and showed him how he could refresh his resume, write cover letters, search for jobs on Craiglist, and use the internet for other resources.
Mr. Mack continued to make weekly appointments with LIFT advocates to apply to jobs. He sent his resume to more than 40 employers and applied to over 20 job websites over the course of three weeks and continued to work on improving his computer skills. It took three-and-a-half frustrating months, but he stuck with it with the help of his advocates, and he finally landed a part-time position in a restaurant.
Mr. Mack is currently working and continuing to apply for full-time work, while also looking for single room occupancy apartments so that he can move out of transitional housing. He is a member of Back on My Feet, a local running club for homeless individuals, and as the oldest member of the group, he had logged over 150 miles from June to November. He is also a member of Concerned Black Men, a community group that hosts neighborhood meetings and plans outings to make DC families stronger. He is looking forward to celebrating the birth of his 10th grandchild.
Mr. Mack was also featured in a special report on CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer about the rise of food stamps use in America, and he brought a new perspective to the types of people using supplemental nutritional assistance to make ends meet.
