Work Week: Delvon’s Story
Hello readers,
Today, we’re shouting out Delvon Womack, a neighbor who’s gone from the streets to a permanent spot on GSI’s Bellflower Crew, and his story is another example of God showing up when you need Him most. Shoutout to George from GSI for interviewing Delvon (and helping him along his journey)!
To put it simply.. Delvon’s been through it. Battling homelessness, hunger, financial security, WHILE wrestling with mental challenges, Delvon was lost. “I had been out of work for three years, and it was the worst time of my life not having a routine to go to work. A lot of nights I starved and I just had no direction,” he said. After getting out of prison in 2021, he spent three years with nothing solid to hold onto.. until a friend on the streets told him about KCB and Good Soil Industries. “He said they had a really good work program doing landscaping, and I knew that was something I had to be a part of.. desperately,” Delvon shared.
That’s when Delvon walked through KCB’s doors, and God started moving. “I prayed for this job,” he said. “I realized we have to ask God for things we need, and He will supply that. When I got this job, it reinforced my faith in God knowing that He’s got me in my time of need.” GSI gave Delvon a shot. A chance to work, to learn, and to grow. And when he got hired on permanently with the Bellflower Crew.. rocking that green shirt is what hit him hard. “I thought, wow, this is real, and this is something I can hold onto, it still hasn’t hit me that I have a stable permanent job, especially making the community I grew up in look very nice. It’s a privilege.”
For Delvon, he’s began to realize the impact this work is having on his life. “I get to go to a place to work every day,” he said. “I don’t have a lot of time on my hands to not do anything. I get to be around people who are striving to be their best, and it motivates me to be a better person and co-worker.” That stability has really flipped his life and his direction around. He’s opening his first-ever bank account, becoming financially aware and responsible, and, most importantly.. rebuilding his relationship with his mom. “It’s restored my relationship with my mother and being able to help her out in whatever way I can financially.”
But it’s not just the job. KCB’s community wrapped Delvon in love as well. “Talking to everyone there at KCB is just amazing,” he said. “The understanding I received of morals, life, and just having love.. I really love you guys.” From TAP cards to food cards, clothing, hygiene kits, and even celebrating his birthday, KCB showed Delvon that his life has purpose, and we’re glad to be a part of it. “It meant the world to me, just the fact that you took me in when you didn’t have to but you gave me a chance,” he said. “I had nowhere to go, and you guys welcomed me, and I knew this is where I was supposed to be.”
Delvon’s got big dreams now. “It’s helping me build my foundation and get closer to God,” he said. “It’s helped me with a lot of personal doubts that are being diminished the more I come to work and see God’s hand in my life.” He’s saving money, growing personally/professionally, and waking up every day grateful for the routine. “Everyone has to do it, and I’m happy to do it,” he said. “I’m blessed more than anything.” His hope for the future? To keep building, maybe even start his own organization one day (he laughed when he said it, but you can tell he’s dreaming big).
Delvon’s got a special shoutout for George, who originally called him in and gave him a chance. “You (George), for calling me, interviewing me, and being so nice and kind to give me a job and help me learn different things in life,” he said. “Workshops, instructions, everything you have done for me has made a big impact in my life.” George’s listening ear and life advice have been a game-changer for Delvon and a lot of GSI participants that have come through, and we’re grateful that he’s on our team and helping to change people’s lives. (Thanks George!)
Delvon’s got wisdom to share too now. “Help each other, be kind to each other, work with each other, and build each other,” he said. “We are all equals in God’s eyes, and He wants us to all love each other and build each other up.” And that’s really the heart of “Work” Week.. work that lifts you up, work that builds community, work that shows God’s love in action. Delvon summed it up best: “I prayed for this blessing, and God gave me more than what I asked.. He gave me peace and stability.”
To our donors and partners, Delvon’s got a message: “Thank you x10!!!! For all the support and effort you put in to make programs like these possible for people like me to have a chance at restarting our lives and be a good community member.” Your giving keeps GSI going.. it’s why Delvon’s got that green shirt he loves, and why we can continue helping others.
GSI and KCB are about carrying the load together and helping neighbors like Delvon find their footing through this work. So let’s keep him in our prayers.. for his dreams, his growth, and his new foundation to continue upward. Pray for GSI, for KCB, and for every neighbor who needs a chance to shine. Your support.. your prayers, your giving, all of that.. makes stories like this real.
Delvon.. keep trusting God’s plan. We see you.. and we’re rooting for you!
Until next time..