Housing for Songwriter Vernon Rust
Donation protected
I remember Vernon Rust from our school days. He and his guitar were inseparable. At recess or lunch, Vernon and his guitar gifted his classmates and teachers by performing freshly-invented songs (along with an assortment of well-known classics).
It's not just me. The whole world agrees: Vernon is talented. He grew up, moved to Nashville and became a songwriter. Vernon's lyrics move people. Perhaps it's because he spends weeks, months and sometimes years writing and rewriting the words. A lifetime of practice might also be part of the magic formula. Over the years, he wrote dozens of hit songs which charted all over the world.
As it often does, success led to excess. Vernon fell into the trap of substance abuse which led to poverty and homelessness. Once you sink down into the ranks of the homeless, it's incredibly difficult to pull yourself back out.
Vernon was homeless, living on the streets, from 1997 to 2010. When asked to describe the hardest part about being homeless for many years, Vernon replies, "I never felt safe anywhere". He adds words of wisdom (which we already knew), "Hard is the comeback".
10 years ago, Vernon's life took a pivotal turn for the better. Through sheer good luck, he met a beautiful lady and artist. They were both homeless and living on the street.
In another stroke of good fortune, singing star Scotty McCreary decided to record a song Vernon had written. That song sold a million copies, providing Vernon and Helen with just barely enough money to buy an old, used camper. After more than a decade of homelessness, they were able to move into an old, beat-up RV in 2012. Two years later, they pilgrimmed from Nashville to Austin. They quit drinking and drugs. For the past six years, they have led a clean, sober life as minimalists and ministers to the homeless all over Austin.
Living in a rustic, old camper sure beats homelessness. But make no mistake: it's still a very rugged lifestyle. In Austin, the temperature often tops 100 degrees. The air conditioner in their spartan, 1989-model camper quit working many years and many owners ago.
In 2017, they applied to be part of a village of Tiny Homes designed to help the homeless. There was a three year waiting list. Their wait is nearly over. A few days ago, Vernon and Helen were invited to move into a brand-new Tiny Home. With air conditioning! They just need to come up with enough funds to make the dream a reality.
How much money does it take? Security deposits, plus first and last month's rent. A total of $1200 to get them into decent housing after years of waiting and hoping.
This move will give them, for the first time in decades, a stable future. In this program, the rent never increases. Vernon's social security (which starts in a few months) will cover continuing costs. They just need a little help from friends like us to get over the nearly-insurmountable hump, and into the housing.
Vernon can still play a guitar like you wouldn't believe, except ... he does not own one. His migration from Nashville to Austin came at a steep cost. He had to sell his beloved guitar for gasoline money.
Today, with no guitar to his name, Vernon plays a "ganjo": a guitar neck on a banjo body. Vernon says, "the ganjo makes a universe of different tones. I play it all day. It's my prayer drum."
Do you agree that an illustrious guitarist / songwriter should actually own a decent guitar? While we're raising money to help put this amazing human into decent housing, let's go ahead and raise another $600 to put a nice guitar into his talented hands.
You'll be pleased to know that when we help Vernon and Helen get into decent housing, we also help house the two adorable pets they rescued earlier this year.
Vernon sums up his situation quite succinctly. "My story of loss and redemption is God's greatest example of mercy and grace. Statistically i should have died 1000 times over. It's a compelling tale."
"Helen and I started our little parking lot ministry in 2012 in our '89 motorhome. Now we've been invited to be a part of Community First Village and to live in a brand new Tiny Home of our own. Folks, it's 103 degrees in the shade, and we need to raise $1200 for move-in costs. Dear friends, we are tired of living in parking lots, and we have medical issues which are aggravated by the angry oven heat. I reckon we're not as resilient as we used to be. If you've followed us this far, perhaps you could help us a little further ... into a permanent home of our own (with air conditioning). We are hot, tired, and would sincerely appreciate any donation, large or small. Thanks in advance and may God bless us all in these troubling, uncertain times."
It's not just me. The whole world agrees: Vernon is talented. He grew up, moved to Nashville and became a songwriter. Vernon's lyrics move people. Perhaps it's because he spends weeks, months and sometimes years writing and rewriting the words. A lifetime of practice might also be part of the magic formula. Over the years, he wrote dozens of hit songs which charted all over the world.
As it often does, success led to excess. Vernon fell into the trap of substance abuse which led to poverty and homelessness. Once you sink down into the ranks of the homeless, it's incredibly difficult to pull yourself back out.
Vernon was homeless, living on the streets, from 1997 to 2010. When asked to describe the hardest part about being homeless for many years, Vernon replies, "I never felt safe anywhere". He adds words of wisdom (which we already knew), "Hard is the comeback".
10 years ago, Vernon's life took a pivotal turn for the better. Through sheer good luck, he met a beautiful lady and artist. They were both homeless and living on the street.
In another stroke of good fortune, singing star Scotty McCreary decided to record a song Vernon had written. That song sold a million copies, providing Vernon and Helen with just barely enough money to buy an old, used camper. After more than a decade of homelessness, they were able to move into an old, beat-up RV in 2012. Two years later, they pilgrimmed from Nashville to Austin. They quit drinking and drugs. For the past six years, they have led a clean, sober life as minimalists and ministers to the homeless all over Austin.
Living in a rustic, old camper sure beats homelessness. But make no mistake: it's still a very rugged lifestyle. In Austin, the temperature often tops 100 degrees. The air conditioner in their spartan, 1989-model camper quit working many years and many owners ago.
In 2017, they applied to be part of a village of Tiny Homes designed to help the homeless. There was a three year waiting list. Their wait is nearly over. A few days ago, Vernon and Helen were invited to move into a brand-new Tiny Home. With air conditioning! They just need to come up with enough funds to make the dream a reality.
How much money does it take? Security deposits, plus first and last month's rent. A total of $1200 to get them into decent housing after years of waiting and hoping.
This move will give them, for the first time in decades, a stable future. In this program, the rent never increases. Vernon's social security (which starts in a few months) will cover continuing costs. They just need a little help from friends like us to get over the nearly-insurmountable hump, and into the housing.
Vernon can still play a guitar like you wouldn't believe, except ... he does not own one. His migration from Nashville to Austin came at a steep cost. He had to sell his beloved guitar for gasoline money.
Today, with no guitar to his name, Vernon plays a "ganjo": a guitar neck on a banjo body. Vernon says, "the ganjo makes a universe of different tones. I play it all day. It's my prayer drum."
Do you agree that an illustrious guitarist / songwriter should actually own a decent guitar? While we're raising money to help put this amazing human into decent housing, let's go ahead and raise another $600 to put a nice guitar into his talented hands.
You'll be pleased to know that when we help Vernon and Helen get into decent housing, we also help house the two adorable pets they rescued earlier this year.
Vernon sums up his situation quite succinctly. "My story of loss and redemption is God's greatest example of mercy and grace. Statistically i should have died 1000 times over. It's a compelling tale."
"Helen and I started our little parking lot ministry in 2012 in our '89 motorhome. Now we've been invited to be a part of Community First Village and to live in a brand new Tiny Home of our own. Folks, it's 103 degrees in the shade, and we need to raise $1200 for move-in costs. Dear friends, we are tired of living in parking lots, and we have medical issues which are aggravated by the angry oven heat. I reckon we're not as resilient as we used to be. If you've followed us this far, perhaps you could help us a little further ... into a permanent home of our own (with air conditioning). We are hot, tired, and would sincerely appreciate any donation, large or small. Thanks in advance and may God bless us all in these troubling, uncertain times."
Organizer
Nasser Shukayr
Organizer
Austin, TX