They aren’t hard to find. Sitting on the sidewalk, a bench or under an overpass. Trying to keep themselves and everything they own in the bags beside them safe. No one ever wants to be homeless. But once in that position, because of mental health, addiction or even a simple setback that created a domino effect that led to the streets, finding your way back home is a path filled with hurdles that can seem insurmountable. It’s in those moments that a shining light of hope can make all the difference.
For many in the unhoused community in Tampa, Lori Martin, Executive Director of Revive & Restore, is that shining light. For Lori, a fateful day in 2021 changed her life forever. “I was in a thrift store here in Seminole Heights, and I met a man that changed my path. It wasn’t what he said. It was this overwhelming feeling that came over me when our eyes met,” shared Martin. “Somehow, I knew that man was homeless. But as I’m processing it, he didn’t look homeless. I just knew when I left that thrift store, blinders had been taken off. When I left the store that day, I saw the need everywhere that I’d never seen before. From that moment on, I started serving.”
After working with the local homeless community through Tampa Underground, it wasn’t long before it was clear the right path was to start her own non-profit, and Revive & Restore was born. “Where my nonprofit is different is we want to walk beside people, whatever their journey looks like. We are not judging them. We’re not forcing them. Our mission is to build relationships with them. And once we build the relationships, then the trust comes in,” explained Martin. Their mission starts with offering basic necessities —food and clothing — three times a week, seeing 350-400 people a week. When someone expresses a need, Lori and her team work to connect them to the right services to meet that need.
Lori has many success stories, but Jimmy’s story is one that stays with her. “I met him under this bridge on Hanna one day. I look up, and I see a man up at the top of the underpass. Jimmy hadn’t eaten in seven days. He said he was praying to God, ‘Please send somebody.’ And I happened to look up,” shared Martin. She invited him to an outreach event, and he came that day. “It took Jimmy almost two years before he asked for help. I said, ‘Jimmy, if you ever want to end this and start afresh, I’m here for you,’” added Martin. When Jimmy was ready, Lori quickly had Jimmy set up with two part time jobs. Eventually, he was hired full time at one of them. Lori helped him establish a checking account and, when he was ready, his own apartment. She checks in with him often, ensuring he’s managing the transition.
Lori can’t make an impact alone. For those with a heart to help, there is much they can do. “We need clothing and food donations because that’s how we build the relationships. We need volunteers. I want someone that has a heart to love people that we serve,” explained Martin. They’re also always looking for donations of bikes and cars, and of course, financial donations are always in need. To learn more about how to help Revive & Restore in its mission, visit www.reviveandrestore.net.