Father. Son. Math teacher. David wears these titles with pride and commitment. Right now, he is finishing his 18th year of teaching, many of them in special education. It has been two months since JCOC’s housing team helped this educator move out of the men’s dorm at our Emergency Shelter and into a home, he could afford.
You see, David experienced homelessness from August 2024 – February 22, 2025.
The Formula Wasn’t Working
It has been a difficult season. David had two major surgeries and experienced child support challenges. Recovery for one surgery required showering and sleeping in a neck and back brace for six months! A tumor on the brachial plexus (a network of nerves in the shoulder that carries movement and sensory signals from the spinal cord to the arms and hands) was removed during a second complicated operation. This resulted in a yearlong recovery.
Not being able to work while healing wiped out David’s sick days, ultimately losing his job. It is still a mystery as to why he was denied multiple times for disability. Now fit and healthy, David said, “I wouldn’t wish it [this experience] on my worst enemy.”
But, last August, David began living in a tent in the woods. He didn’t have a car. His parents had retired to Florida years. They helped their only child as much as possible.
Years ago, their family of three had moved to Virginia Beach from San Diego when David was 11-years-old. His father served as President Carter and President Regan’s helicopter pilot! Young David pursued soccer eventually playing for Virginia Wesleyan University. When injury stopped him from going pro, he transferred to Norfolk State University to earn a phycology degree and special education K-12 certificate. Teaching had always been the backup plan, which made sense. David’s mother was also a special education teacher.
Plugging in the Right Numbers
That was the past. Last August, David needed to concentrate on the present. The first thing he did at the Housing Resource
Center’s (HRC) Transitions Day Services was get on the computer to update his resume. Soon, a spot opened up for him in Emergency Shelter at the HRC. JCOC Housing Support Specialist Humberto Gettys reflected, “David came to shelter with nothing but hope and determination. He was truly a ‘Model’ client who was housing focused!”
JCOC gave David a bus pass to get to his first interview in downtown Norfolk. Within a couple of weeks, he accepted and began his dream job of teaching four different math classes! We also gave him a month bus pass to get to work. David saved every penny he could while living in Emergency Shelter and looked for an affordable place to live.
Moving day came on February 22, 2025! With a huge smile, David packed his new car with a Welcome Home Basket. He shares a 2-bedroom house with a roommate minutes away from work.
He said, “I can’t thank JCOC enough for what they did for me. I had nowhere to turn and then all of a sudden I had this supporting entity that guided me through my turmoil and helped me out little by little here and little by little there. I hope it will motivate someone else to do the same.”
GiGi’s Eye Opener
GiGi is a part of JCOC’s Rapid Rehousing team, and was a part of David’s journey. One day she was picking up her 13-year-old son Jo from school. She was surprised to see David.
Even though GiGi is on the front lines helping our housing clients every day, this took not judging a book by its cover to another level. She said, “It gave me the biggest eye opener. Anyone can be in that (experiencing homelessness) predicament at any given moment.”
This mother of a son with autism is confident David is kind and patient. Recently, Jo slapped down his math homework on the bed saying, “I have to do it, and get this right, Mom! “
GiGi continued, “It taught me that somewhere along the line David met Jo at his level.”
The Perfect Sum
In the midst of teaching, David is on track to complete his Master of Science Degree in Psychology this fall. This is a stepping-stone to earn a PhD in Psychology, retire from teaching, and open his own practice helping children. His job offers tuition reimbursement!
Right now, David is, “Most looking forward to hanging out with my children, watching my son play soccer, and playing guitar with my oldest. I’m teaching him how to play guitar.”
Did You Know? JCOC operates the only year round emergency shelter in Virginia Beach for single adults experiencing homelessness. Based in the City of Virginia Beach’s Housing Resource Center, it has 88 beds. Clients work with our Housing Support Specialists to obtain permanent housing, employment and other services needed to succeed.
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