After walking 47 miles from Bandera, Texas to downtown San Antonio, Dennis arrived at the SAMMinistries Emergency Shelter looking for more than a good night’s rest; he was looking for a new start. 
     For the previous seven years, he had worked on a race horse ranch.  As a ranch hand, he was no stranger to hard work and difficult conditions. No matter what the weather,  Dennis was out atop a quarter horse, working to keep the race horses safe and sound. 
     Unfortunately, as the drought took hold of the area, grazing became impossible and providing feed for the horses became too expensive. Then the owner of the ranch came to tell the hands that he was selling off the ranch and horses and that would be their last day. 
     The drought had caused an economic collapse for the area and he suggested the workers go “someplace big, like San Antonio, Houston or Dallas to start over.” Dennis had been told that he could get the help he needed at “SAMM on Commerce.” So, he grabbed his bag, his hat, his coat and $40 and started out on foot toward San Antonio. Arriving late one day in April of 2009, he will be the first one to tell you that his life has not been the same since. 
     Dennis became a part of the Employment Development Program and soon was helping out in our Donation Station. Within two weeks, he was promoted to working at Furniture For A Cause. He began in the back of the store, cleaning and assembling furniture, but his excellent customer service skills and positive work ethic were apparent to the front office.  As a result, he was promoted to a salesman in October.
     “The training is hard, but it taught me so much,” said Dennis.  After spending so much time on the ranch he needed to readjust to a time clock.  Along with this new skill, the Employment Development team taught him the necessity of coming to the workplace 1) ready to work, 2) ready to learn new things, and 3) ready to take initiative and be a self-starter—“When you finish what you are doing, do something else, and if you don’t see anything else to do, you should always ask!”
     We are thrilled to report that, in December, Dennis’ work ethic and desire to have a new life paid off when he moved out of the shelter and earned a full-time job at Furniture For A Cause.  Since then he has sold over $200,000 worth of furniture and is one of our top salesmen!
     Dennis credits his experience with SAMMinistries as the secret to his success. He has seen the ministry from both sides and there’s nothing he enjoys more than sharing his love for SAMMinistries and Furniture For A Cause.
     “I wish people really knew what the ministry does; its mission and how it contributes to people’s lives.” Dennis is thankful for the people who cared enough to give to make all of this possible.
     His job at Furniture For A Cause not only is his way of giving back, but he also sees the benefits his customers receive. “SAMMinistries and Furniture For A Cause are actually touching people’s lives— not only people in the Program, but our customers, too.  After all, our quality service and savings benefit them, too!”
     Well said, Dennis! Come in and see him at the store-he will be happy to help you, help others!