My name is Stephen Hendley, a 53-year-old veteran, and I wanted to share my experience of being displaced as a result of a tornado. This testimonial is a heartfelt expression of gratitude towards the incredible organizations and individuals who helped my family during this challenging time.
In July 2023, our house was marked for demolition because it had been damaged by the tornado, and our landlord refused to fix it, leaving us in a state of uncertainty. Faced with the daunting task of finding a new place to live, especially considering the unique needs of my family, I remembered my cousin mentioning a group called LTRG (Long-Term Recovery Group), which specializes in assisting people displaced by disasters.
When I reached out to LTRG, they immediately assured me that they would provide the necessary support for my family. They connected us with various programs, including the New Lease on Life and the Hope Initiative as well as the Fuller Center for Housing, among others. These programs proved to be invaluable in helping us rebuild our lives.
One remarkable individual who made a profound impact on our journey was Cassy Basham, who manages Camp Graves, alongside her brother Micah Seavers, the camp's director. When we arrived, Camp Graves greeted us with the comforting words we desperately needed to hear: 'I've got you.' They went above and beyond to assist us, connecting us with different agencies that could address our specific needs. They even helped my daughter obtain her driving permit and enroll in college, ensuring that she could continue her education despite the challenges we faced.
The kindness and compassion we encountered at Camp Graves and within the LTRG network were truly awe-inspiring. They guided us through the process, and on August 4, 2023, we were fortunate enough to qualify for a Hope Initiative house as well as a New Lease on Life house. We chose the house from New Lease on Life, and it has become the home of our dreams.
Words cannot express the depth of our gratitude to everyone involved in helping us during this difficult period. The dedication and selflessness displayed by the LTRG team, the Camp Graves Board of Directors and Staff, and the countless other individuals and organizations involved, have left an everlasting impact on our lives.
We are forever grateful for the kindness, support, and opportunities provided to us. The work being done by these incredible individuals is nothing short of a blessing, and we will never be able to thank them enough for the hope and stability they have restored to our lives.
I’m so thankful for learning about Camp Graves. I had no idea there was a resource of this kind in our area!
We are so thankful for the beautiful place to live and the community of care we received.
After 4 months of looking and saving money, we are finally in housing, and we couldn’t have done it without Camp G.R.A.V.E.S.
