Roger, 27, moved from Arkansas to Denver five months ago looking for a fresh start. He arrived during COVID lockdown and initially slept in doorways and later in a tent; a helpful stranger and free buses got him to downtown services like breakfast at Jesus Saves. He prefers to be alone rather than rely on family back home, which he describes as close-minded. He’s been hustling — moving jobs, flying signs, small gigs — but phones keep getting stolen and that prevents steady progress.
His immediate needs are stability and a reliable phone so he can build momentum; his short-term goal is to keep earning about forty dollars a day to move beyond daily survival. Longer term he wants to plant roots, start a family, and run his own business, possibly in the cannabis industry, or scale up his moving work into something formal. He’s pragmatic and resilient; he’s learning systems and resources in Denver, and he’s clear-eyed about the structural obstacles that still stand in the way.
