Wilbur | Wake County 100

Narrative, Continued:

The area police have given Wilbur his own telephone, in his apartment, so that they can easily use him as a resource to keep track of Raleigh’s homeless. Wilbur keeps up with where the homeless sleep, and does his best to take care of them. Wilbur also advises city officials and committee members on Raleigh’s homeless needs. Wilbur is concerned about the new law that gives homes to the chronically homeless and to the mentally ill - only. Wilbur also dislikes how all homeless are treated the same, even though some people are homeless for different reasons.

As Wilbur puts it, “it’s (Wake County) OK,” because there are so many homeless in comparison to where he used to live, and the number keeps growing.

Written by: Sam M. and Sean O.

Wilbur

Gender: Male

Age: 25-64

Race: Black or African American

Nativity: Born in NC

Educational Attainment:

High School Graduate

Occupation: Unemployed

Travel Time to Work: N/A

Internet Access: No

Religion: Not Aligned

City: Raleigh

Narrative:

Wilbur was a homeless person, and now he is found. Jesus is the reason that Wilbur is off the streets, and he is completely devoted to his faith. Not only does Wilbur strongly believe in God, he also writes biblical tracks, and always is informing people about the Lord. Born in Nash County, Wilbur came to Raleigh in 1989. Family problems have caused Wilbur to move from far away New Jersey to Wake County. When Wilbur came to Wake County he thought that it was a nice place, although it isn’t a place where you can just sit down and wait for people to bring you things. Then he realized that you have to get it yourself. After a tough time in high school as a child, Wilbur went back to high school at the Raleigh Rescue Mission, and earned his GED. As a child, Wilbur studied to be an electrician, and to be a brick mason. To all the teachers, Wilbur was a pest and the teachers passed Wilbur just to get him out of their classes. At this time, Wilbur is renting a small efficiency. This is the first home he’s had for many years. In his house, Wilbur drinks fresh water from his tap, but he also gets water from the Salvation Army if they have extras. After sleeping in a Catholic church, and having his relationship with his family restored, Wilbur has become very religious. From just trusting in God, to writing biblical tracks, Wilbur has become quite the religious icon to the homeless around the area.

The Doon School