After years of hardship and uncertainty, Robert says he’s finally reached a place where he can “breathe again.”
Originally from Clearwater, Robert lost everything during Hurricane Irma in 2017 and faced periods of homelessness while trying to rebuild his life. What seemed like a wrong turn off I‑95 on his way to his sister’s home farther north brought Robert to Palm Bay in Brevard County—where, while living in his car, he found work at Thrifty Specialty Produce and Meats and ultimately a new start. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to working and moving forward, even through unstable housing situations and personal setbacks.
Soon, after securing a room to rent from a friendly couple, Robert was placed in a difficult situation when the husband passed away. Robert spent nearly a decade helping care for the wife with declining health, who had become a close friend. After managing household responsibilities and finances, he ultimately had to walk away due to complex family and legal challenges. Once again, he found himself having to start over.
That turning point came from a simple Google search, where Robert connected with Eckerd Connects Family Services. With financial support from the Rapid Rehousing Program, he was able to move into his own apartment and regain his footing once again.
“The program helped me get back on my feet,” he said. “Everything started coming together again.”
Today, Robert is thriving. He has maintained steady employment for 10 years at Thrifty Specialty Produce and Meats and was recently promoted to supervisor, overseeing both the meat and seafood departments. Under his leadership, his department has improved significantly, improving their performance and increasing sales. He was also recently recognized through the Seafood Excellence Award. Now settled in his apartment and looking ahead, Robert hopes to one day build a home again and continue growing professionally.
“I’ve been through a lot,” he said. “But I’m still here, still working, and still moving forward.”
