Homeless but not faithless, an inside look at life on the street

PART II: Homeless but not faithless, an inside look at life on the street

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The story of every homeless person is different, as to how they ended up on the streets, but some are trying to provide more than just a roof over someone's head, but actually help improve a life.

For many, life on the street is nothing new. But, to get off that street, it can take so much more than providing housing. As one man lets you inside his life struggling with homelessness for years, but yet, he still has hope for the future.

Two years ago, Mike Mann called hole under a bridge home, with a bed of blankets on top of dirt and rock. He would stop in shelters on occasion, but dreamed of so much more.

"God's got me called in different directions, from back then to now," said Mike.

Mike went back to college, taking a bus to Pellissippi State, and eventually saving up enough school loans to get an apartment, but the financial aid didn't come through in time for Mike to make rent.

Opening his camp, under a bridge yet again, Mike said, "It's just the basics, and that's all I need out here."

Protected from the elements, it's enough to provide a dry place to sleep.

Mike sets out on foot daily, as he works his way across Knoxville, but from his home, his faith provides him with a clear view of the future, and Church Street United Methodist.

Mike said, "The church here over the years has made an impact on my life."

Everyday Church Street is open to everyone, and on Thursdays they serve a hot meal to hundreds.

Pastor Darryll Rasnake said, "I can't work with all 200 of those individually, but where I'm having success is where I can take a person individually, or 2 or 3, 5 or 10, and try to work individually with them."

For Mike, the support from Pastor Rasnake can help someone find a home, "You can give anybody housing and stuff, but will they keep it," said Mike. He said, "The core problem is you're still going to have the homeless person that just needs a support system."

Pastor Rasnake said, "You're valuable, you have meaning, you have purpose and as much as we can, we're going to welcome you into this place and help you to understand that."

Volunteering with area organizations and doing ministry work with the church, Mike now feels called to do more with his life than just find a home. "I'm trying to bring what I've learned out here to others, to prevent others from being out here."

Mike will go back to school in January. Even if that means he has to commute from his camp under the bridge to class every day, but he is holding on to hope the financial aid will come in soon enough, to get an apartment again.

And, through the support at Church Street United Methodist, he feels his future will eventually be on the giving side of services for the homeless.

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PREVIOUS STORY:

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- At night, many of you will cuddle up inside your home, sheltered from the cold nights, but not everyone in East Tennessee has that option.

Two years ago, Volunteer TV's Heather Haley introduced you to a man living on the street, as he struggled to get a roof back over his head.

But, his battle with homelessness continues. Some may consider Mike's situation sad, but he has found his story to be one of inspiration, as he works to make something of himself.

It was a cold November night in 2008, as Mike Mann opened up his home for all of East Tennessee to understand what it's like to live on the streets.

In 2008 Mike said, "We don't have much, but with being inside and out of the elements, all of our stuff stays dry."

That was enough for Mike to try to improve his life, as he went back to school just a couple of months later.

He would walk to the bus, from his hole in a bridge, after a night's unrest on a bed of dirt and rock.

"From 2 years ago, I feel like I've made great progress," said Mike as he looks back on his life on the streets.

Mike said, "I got into Pellissippi State, I'm currently enrolled. I took this semester off."

Mike was using school loans to pay for an apartment, but when paperwork didn't come through in time, he was back out on the streets.

So, it was time, yet again, for a little creativity to find a camp.

For instance, you may see just a bridge, a path leading you where you need to go, but for Mike it's a path to his front door.

"I don't like where I'm at, but it's nice and quiet and I got a river view," Mike said.

The roof over his head is the beams of a bridge. He uses a camping stove for a hot meal, when other doors are closed to him.

"Over the years, I've just perfected my cooking out here," said Mike.

"Ever body that I talk to, they say you can't be homeless, because you're always clean, you always have clean clothes on, you talk like you have some education behind you, which I do, but that doesn't mean I'm not homeless."

And, that's not enough to hold him back from big dreams, and a lot of faith.

Mike said, "Just trying to let God lead my direction this time."

And, back to class in January, which will hopefully put a real roof over his head again.

Mike's goal is to get his student loan check before classes start, and hopefully get in an apartment in time for school. But, that's only if the paperwork comes through this time.

Wednesday on Volunteer TV news at 11, more on the future for Mike and others living on the streets, as some in the community are opening their doors and hearts to encourage people to do more than just find housing, but better themselves.