A PERFECT FIT...

(Pictured at right, Jamie Letson, seated, is wearing the shoes the Charlotte Wingard, background, gave her when she stood on these steps barefoot – just out of prison with nowhere to go.)

For most who knock at the door of the Wingard Home, their only baggage is addiction or the memories of a bad life.

For nearly two decades, Charlotte and Roy Wingard have opened their door and their hearts to people who have nowhere to turn and not even a pair of shoes to call their own.

But don’t tell Charlotte that she runs a homeless shelter. She’ll quickly correct you. “This is a Christian home,” she said.

The Wingards give residents food, clothing and shelter but maybe even more important, a chance to get their lives on track.

The question is why.

“We do it to tell people about Jesus,” said Charlotte. “You can’t just go out and give someone a sandwich. You’ve got to get them in here and treat their addictions.”
When residents first come they are all humble, she said.

“They’ll lie — it’s a protection measure. Many have conned their way through their entire life.”

The Wingards know plenty about addictions and being homeless. They found themselves out of money and on the street in Atlanta in 1988 — her addiction was money and Roy was addicted to drugs and alcohol.

“There are many reasons someone can end up homeless,” said Charlotte.

“Alcohol and drugs certainly aren't the only addictions.”

“The abused women are the worst,” said Charlotte. They’ll break your heart. One phone call from a man can send them right back. I still can’t comprehend that.”

Jamie Letson, 47, spent nine years in federal prison and during that time her parents died, her children were adopted, her family turned their backs, her friends moved on.

As her release date drew near, she realized that she had nowhere to go. Hearing about the Wingard Home she made a phone call, submitted an application and a week later was standing on the doorsteps of the Wingard Home — barefoot.

Charlotte stepped outside to meet her and seeing that she had no shoes, took her own off and gave them to her. It would become a symbolic moment. “I’ll never get rid of them,” said Jamie. “I felt just like Dorothy, ‘there’s no place like home.’”

For Jamie they were a perfect fit, the shoes and the friendship.

She counts herself lucky to still feel emotions.

“The greatest punishment in prison is the separation from those you love,” Jamie said.
She has since reconnected with a sister and her children.

Living at the Wingard Home is no free ride. There’s a background check and rules to follow and everyone is given 7-10 days to find a job. Saturday is work day around the house and residents attend church on Sunday.

“Lazy is my pet peeve,” Charlotte said. “You have to get them working. You can’t just lie around here and feel good about yourself.”

All residents are required to eat the same donated food and wear donated clothing.

Donations of money, food, clothing and furniture are gladly accepted. “Call us, we’ll pick it up,” Charlotte said. Volunteers to help with work projects and tutors for the children are also needed.

There is no charge to live at the Wingard Home but residents are expected to work, save money and learn to balance a budget. Residents may live at the home as long as necessary but after some time most are ready to step out on their own.

“It’s hard when they leave” Charlotte said. “It’s something I never get used to. I used to cry my eyes out, but you just have to toughen up. I try to make leaving positive for them. You have to give people an opportunity.”

Do they keep in touch?

“I let them do that if they want to,” said Charlotte. “A lot of people would like to forget about this time in their life, and I don’t dig into that sore — I let it heal.”

Jamie, now serving as the community liaison for the home, says she plans to stay a while.

“The first night here, when I put my head on the pillow, all I felt was peace,” she said. “I knew I was home.”

Jamie would like to be a part of the ministry and see it grow, to help others.

“The first part of my life was messed up,” she said. “I’d like to spend the next half for a good cause.”
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For more information contact the Wingard Home at (601) 355-9589 or visit www.wingardhome.org.