News-Record.com

I was surprised to someone I've known for many years, Vincent Sims, on the front page of Sunday's paper.

I also was encouraged that Sims, whose family lived near mine in Woodmere Park when we were growing up, is doing much better after struggles with homelessness, drug use and schizophrenia.

I've seen him from time to time on the streets of downtown.

You wouldn't have expected this from him. He came from a solid, middle-class family.
His mom was a school secretary who occasionally gave us lifts to school. His brother was a star athlete at Page High School.

I remember him when we were growing up as a quiet little guy. But something happened along the way.

And he wasn't the only one from the old neighborhood who wound up that way. One childhood friend from Woodmere died last year, broken and aimless and addled by drugs. He was smart, gregarious and athletic as a teenager. I don't know what drove him to the streets.

Most recently, I saw him in front of the News & Record building, and he showed me something he hadn't showed me before: hope. He smiled and talked about his new apartment. He was excited to be working odd jobs. He still was in touch with his family.

Amanda Lehmert's story notes that a new program that provides homes for homeless people like Vincent not only can save lives, but can save taxpayer money.

It is cheaper than the cost of emergency rooms, shelter visits and jail time.

I'm glad Vincent appears to be on the path back to a productive life. And I wish him the very best.