Atkins’ Story
Atkins Smith (58) was living within Chicago's Humboldt Park encampment when we first met him in 2022 and provided him with an Orange Tent. A series of life’s twists and turns (including a self-defense/firearm possession arrest) led him to homelessness and away from the secure housing he’d always known as he worked diligently to pursue and achieve the American dream.
He is a father of six to Maurice, Blondelia, Acquino, Guillermo, Shelley and Shirley; a loving son to his mother; a proud U.S. Army veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan for 18 months as a nuclear biological chemical specialist; a college graduate with training in communications and criminal justice; and a steady, dependable employee of the SureStaff Temp Agency. His most recent assignments were in package handling at Chicago’s Cherry Meat Packers (2015 - 2022) and in maintenance at Soldier Field for events.
From left to right: Morgan McLuckie, Orange Tent Project CEO, Atkins Smith, and Diane Falanga, Orange Tent Project
Due to Atkins’ arrest, he was required to attend Veterans Court which entailed weekly court appearances, drug screenings and frequent meetings at the Circuit Court of Cook County with case workers. These mandatory meetings interfered with his ability to show up for work at Cherry Meat Packers - his money ran out and he lost his ability to afford housing.
When asked what was the hardest part of living within a tent encampment, Atkins immediately cited security and personal safety. He stayed very aware and focused at all times and never left critically important items in the tent when he left for the day (i.e., his social security card, ID, credentials, paper work). He was very grateful to 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes for helping to keep Humboldt Park clean and to provide facilities for those living in tents.
At the Orange Tent Project, we not only provide tents for those in need - but look to connect these neighbors with services and partners to help them move from homelessness into housing. Teaming up with Heartland Alliance and Volunteers of America - together with the support of donations - we were able to secure housing for Atkins. He is thriving today in his new studio apartment in Evanston, reflecting on the life-changing assistance he received from The Orange Tent Project.
Atkins's story is a testament to the impact your donations can have. Every dollar you give helps us provide not just tents, but life-saving interventions that pave the way to permanent housing.
Will you help us continue this mission?
Learn how you can get involved and support our cause today at: https://www.orangetentproject.org/donate.
