Every night, when Robert Hart ended his shift at Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, he would return to Rescue Outreach Mission when most of the guests were sleeping.

He often followed the same routine to relax before going to bed, something he truly looked forward to as he made his way through the dark streets of Sanford.

The night shift was on, and Stephone Godfrey, who has worked at the shelter since 2018, would be up watching over the shelter. The two men would spend time talking.

“He became a mentor, and he was so helpful to talk to about life skills and other things,” Robert says. “He’s former military, so he disciplined. Some people say he’s strict, but those are just the ones that don’t follow the rules.”

That interaction is one of the keys to success at Rescue Outreach Mission. The guests come to the shelter at one of the lowest points in their lives. They are looking for a new start, someone to help them.

By treating guests with respect and dignity, guests are shown they matter, that someone cares about them – often for the first time in months or years.

Robert came to Rescue Outreach Mission in December after more than a month of sleeping under a bridge. In April, Robert moved into a new home, a room for rent in Sanford. He’s washing dishes at Hollerbach’s and is trying to restart his life.

He was born and raised in Mt. Dora, and for most of his life, it was a great life. He had a wonderful house and a great job in construction as a concrete finisher.

Then, the cancer hit.

Three years ago, Hart lost his eye to the dreaded disease. He couldn’t work in construction anymore and started travelling the country for work.

His last job was helping collect petitions for a presidential candidate to qualify for the ballot in Texas. When that candidate’s campaign folded, the company that hired Hart left town without paying him. He only had enough money to get a bus ticket back to Central Florida.

“It is hard to believe that serious medical issues can cause someone to experience homelessness, but we have so many guests come to us after they lost their jobs because of a medical issue,” says Chris Ham, executive director, Rescue Outreach Mission. “We work with non-profits and our hospitals to find treatment but finding a new job when you can’t perform the skills you had your entire life can be nearly impossible.”

When Robert arrived in Orlando from Texas, he went to another shelter. He became sick and felt like he needed to leave.  For the next month, he lived under a bridge. He was robbed and lost his clothes, his phone and any sort of identification.

At 57 years old, he knew he needed to get off the streets, adding: “I’m too old to be homeless.”

He made his way to Rescue Outreach Mission and found a bed. Then he and Rescue Outreach Mission went to work.

“They helped me get my social security card and sent me over to The Sharing Center for some new clothes, and then they helped me apply for food stamps,” Robert says. “I went out looking for jobs and saved money.”

One of the ways Rescue Outreach Mission helped was through its partnership with Rusty’s Bicycle Recycle.

“The bicycle saved me a lot of wear and tear on my shoes,” Robert says. “I appreciate they gave me an opportunity. The staff there are awesome.”

Krystine Schaffer, director of shelter services, adds: “Robert is a testament to how we have reached out to work with other organizations throughout the region to provide comprehensive services to our guests. We’re fortunate to have so many groups working together to help our community – and to come together to help Robert.”

He understands how much they have helped him and he’s started going to church to build a “foundation of people who are positive.”

But the key to his future was finding that job at Hollerbach’s.

“Honestly, you have to find a job and work,” he says. “If you are spending money on drugs, you won’t succeed. You have to have a plan and be responsible.”

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