For weeks her teachers had been concerned. Every day the little girl arrived at school but she was getting quieter by the second. Even though she was a shy child, the teachers couldn't help but wonder what was happening at home.
All it took was one phone call and the mystery would be solved. When they heard the truth, the teachers didn't wait for another second and frantically called the police!
Looking For A Fresh Start
James Schweikhard was 41 years old and in desperate need of a fresh start. He was the sole parent for his young daughter and their future was beginning to look bleak. The father and daughter had run from Oaklahoma and were hoping the answer to their problems existed in a new state.
When they first arrived in Colorado they tried to stay under the radar. James didn’t want to attract any unwanted attention but he had to put his daughter’s future first. To light the way, he would risk everything they had already built up.
One Thing Was Consistent
James knew the one thing that he had to keep consistent was his daughter’s education. No matter where they were or what the father did for a living his daughter needed an education. When they moved to Colorado he quickly found a new school for her to start.
He knew the only way for his daughter to have a successful life was with education. Would her father’s lifestyle and choices end up holding her back and jeopardizing this only chance?
Teachers Admired His Dedication
Not every parent took the time to walk their child to school. In fact, many students took the bus or were in a carpool with friends. Without fail and rain or shine, James always walked his daughter to school.
One morning, a teacher noticed an alarming detail about the little girl. They didn’t want to say anything and decided to watch her for the remainder of the week. These extra days would come back to haunt them when they found out the truth of her situation.
They Had To Flee
The single father didn’t just want a better future for his family, it was a situation of life or death. The work was non-existent in their home state and every day James knew he was closer to being homeless.
Without a second thought, he put his daughter in the car and drove through the night. When they reached their destination James felt the winds of change around him. Instead, he was entering a cyclone of despair.
What Was The Warning Sign?
Every day, James’ daughter arrived late to school and she was always sleepy. Her teachers found this unusual. Why couldn’t she make it to school on time? When they tried to ask her questions about her morning she instantly stopped talking and looked down at her hands.
The teachers suspected something was wrong at home but always had lovely interactions with her father. They didn’t know if they should alert the authorities and look the other way. If they had paid attention sooner, it could have been an entirely different story.
It Was Two Months Too Late
Finally, after two months the teachers had enough. James’ daughter was always arriving late and she was practically falling asleep in school. They began to suspect she wasn’t eating enough or showering regularly.
It was time to let local law enforcement know. The teachers didn’t want the little girl to be separated from her father but something had to change. The next day when James walked his daughter to class, he got a very different welcome.
The Truck Was Surrounded
James kissed his daughter on the cheek and smiled at the teachers. He really liked how friendly this school was and his daughter was learning many topics. When he walked back to his truck he slowed his pace and suddenly his mouth went very dry.
His truck was surrounded by police officers, and they were shining flashlights into James’s truck and inspecting the area. He knew he was caught but he thought for a second about running in the opposite direction. He dipped his head low and realized his fate was already sealed.
What Seems To Be The Problem Officer?
James slowly walked towards the police and asked them what the problem was. He already knew they had found out his deep dirty secret. After living in Colorado for two months James’s truck had broken down.
With the loss of a reliable vehicle, he couldn’t get to work, and now his family was sleeping in the truck. The officers were staring at him with a level of disgust that made James want to disappear. Then one man stepped forward with a plan.
Police Officer Jack Butler
Officer Butler had been on the force for a long time and had never come across a case like this before. When he saw the truck before he spoke to James he was prepared to hear excuses, not humility.
Officer Butler approached James and asked him to tell them what was going on. James wasn’t used to receiving help from law enforcement, but when he began to speak he could tell the force was listening. After months of bad luck, was this James’s big break?
One Thing Was Clear
You knew right away that the family was sleeping in the truck. You could see the items and makeshift mattresses through the windows. It wasn’t safe but it also answered several questions.
James and his daughter were not getting a good night’s sleep because they didn’t feel safe in the truck. They were always late to school because they couldn’t drive there anymore. Officer Butler made a quick decision, but would his officers respect him less for breaking protocol.
It Could Have Been Jail
It would have only taken one bad look or negative interaction with James for Officer Butler to spiral this decision in a different way. Instead, he appreciated that James was doing the best he could and especially that he was making sure his daughter went to school.
Another police officer might have put James’ daughter into protective services, but Officer Butler made a different phone call. James anxiously paced while he watched the cop speaking into his cell. When he walked back over, James fell to his knees in gratitude.
Arranging An Urgent Service
Officer Butler arranged to have James’ truck towed to a local mechanic. When he made the phone call, he also took a minute to fill in the shop manager and the tow truck driver. Both services had agreed to do the work completely free of charge.
James was shocked and didn’t understand. When the police had approached his vehicle this morning he was sure that he was getting in trouble. Officer Butler had even bigger news to share with the shocked man.
Where Would They Sleep For The Night?
James listened to officer butler explain the plan but he had a bigger question. He had been sleeping in his truck….If it was going to the mechanic where would he and his daughter sleep that night? James went into a panic and tried to stop them from hooking up his truck.
The officer was shocked. He didn’t understand why James would reject the offer of labor and services. When the two men continued the conversation he realized the important detail the police force had overlooked. James had one main concern and that was his daughter’s safety, especially after dark.
It Was The Right Thing To Do
The police squad made a few more phone calls and found an available shelter for James and his daughter. They also quickly got James’s belongings and his daughter’s clothing out of the truck. James was in shock watching the cops treat him with respect and kindness.
After being homeless he had witnessed mainly negative reactions from people, especially the men in blue. He was overwhelmed they viewed him as an equal and were helping him to find a solution. It wasn’t just the police force that extended an olive branch to James.
The Community Came Together
Officer Butler spoke out about helping his fellow man and James struggle with employment and soon the local community responded with a dozen job offers for James. Some of the offers were just contract work that would guarantee he got cash that week, but others were a longer commitment.
To get an apartment you need to have a full-time employer and have bank statements that can prove your financial reliability. James listened to these job offers and began to understand any one of them would be life-changing. The man put his head in his hands and sobbed with relief and the change in his future.
Finally A Steady Income
James accepted one of the many job offers and began to work full time while still taking care of his daughter. The little girl was happy as long as her dad still walked her to school in the morning but teachers were excited to see she was well-rested and not falling asleep in class anymore.
James wanted his daughter to have a good life and everything he did was for her future. He was taking big steps to achieve a goal that was deemed impossible only months earlier.
A Home To Call Their Own
After being homeless for almost two years, James was finally able to get an apartment for himself and his daughter. It was a massive moment for the family and James was in tears as he unlocked the front door.
There would still be struggles ahead but having four walls to call their own and a place to cook warm nutritious meals for his daughter made James feel like a giant walking among men. The community had one more surprise for James and his new apartment.
Donations Of Appliances & Food
James had done everything possible just to get the apartment and his name on the lease. He was nervous about how to get his daughter new clothes or even put food in the fridge. The community rallied again and filled a police officer’s garage with donations for the family’s new home.
The donations ranged from cash, dishes, furniture, and clothes for James’ little girl. It was a humbling experience and made James believe that goodness can be found everywhere. One police officer had a lot to say about the experience.
Looking For The Good In Everyone
Sgt. Dave Hoover had been a member of the police force that offered his garage to store donations for James and his daughter. He was also there the first day James was approached outside his vehicle. When he reflects on the situation he thinks one main thing.
“It's all about being a part of the community. I’ve always been taught that you always give a hand up and not a handout. James has done a lot of the work getting himself together.”