By: Alex MarcusOctober 9, 2009
An article in the Dallas Morning News describes the incredible story of a man who “moved his cheese” from a life on the streets to having a job and his own home.
Mark Choice had lived in a cardboard box under a freeway in downtown Dallas for 15 years; in fact, he was identified as “mayor” of the freeway under which he lived. However, this past Wednesday, with the generosity of David Timothy, Choice was given the keys to a new town home.
David Timothy runs the nonprofit organization SoupMobile, which distributes food to the homeless. SoupMobile was such a success that Timothy developed the idea for a housing program called SoupMobile Village.
Back on April 1, Timothy also known as the “SoupMan” hired Choice as an assistant warehouse manager, where he received his first paycheck in 20 years. Choice had done such a great job that Timothy wanted to make him the first resident of the new SoupMobile Village. Choice, who had his home made of boxes torn down countless times, knew it was time to make a change in his life.
Choice’s situation about change can be applied to Spencer Johnson’s book “Who Moved My Cheese.” In the story, four characters, 2 mice, Sniff and Scurry and 2 little people, Hem and Haw face unforeseen change when their cheese is suddenly gone. Sniff and Scurry go their own way and find new cheese while Hem and Haw try to figure out where the cheese went. Haw eventually put aside his fears and begins looking for new cheese, while Hem keeps to his regular routine. Haw quickly adapted to change, having to find new cheese and once he found it, he realized he must enjoy what he has, but continue to “move with the cheese.”
In Choice’s situation, he was a little like Hem at first, continuously rebuilding his box home, living under a freeway, but once Choice was offered a real job with responsibility, he realized he must step down as “mayor” of the freeway, change his life and “move with the cheese” he was offered. By “moving with the cheese,” and taking the job opportunity, Choice showed that he is worthy of employment and in turn received a home in which to live through the help of donors and a very kind man. By doing this, Choice has found himself in a better living situation and is now able to keep “moving with the cheese” to continue living a better life.
Article taken from The Dallas Morning News
Picture taken by Courtney Perry, Dallas Morning News
2 comments:
Amazing!! Must be a very rewarding job.
Alex, what an interesting story from Dallas. A very good example of moving the cheese and going where new opportunities exist no matter how challenging.
Post a Comment