Arlene Fliege pictured on left, Tracey Mitchell pictured on right.
The Valparaiso High School Graduating Class of 1999 came together recently to help a classmate in need. It came to class member Arlene Fliege’s attention that one of their classmates needed help finding a safer permanent living situation. After speaking with this classmate over ice cream, Fliege knew something needed to be done. She began doing research and reaching out to people in the community to find a solution.
“I tried to walk away many times, and I couldn't because it's not a human thing that any of us should be able to do. We should be able to see someone that needs help and try to help,” Fliege said. “You don't have to do it all on your own. I didn't do this on my own. I have a list of all kinds of people that helped to do this.”
Fliege has previously worked to help community members in need, so she was familiar with the benefits of having a GoFundMe account. She was able to create an account for their classmate and members of the Valparaiso High School Class of 1999 were quick to help.
“I decided to create a GoFundMe account. I know that it helps when you have something like that and are successful in raising money for someone. Fortunately, we have this great resource of the Internet, and I reached out to the class because that was the mutual connection I had with this person. Within 30 minutes, I had over $250 in the account,” Fliege said.
With that money, Fliege was able to provide the classmate with the option of staying in a hotel for a few nights until a more permanent situation could be found. As soon as the classmate was in the hotel, Fliege began making calls.
“That's when I called a man named Paul Schreiner. He is the Executive Director for Project Neighbors. Project Neighbors has affordable housing for its residents. Everything is included, and they pay one set price. This woman was able to pay her own rent and this was a perfect opportunity for her. Paul said he had an apartment for me, but it wouldn't be ready for at least 45 days. That's when I reached out to Tracey,” Fliege said.
Tracey Mitchell is a substitute teacher and paraprofessional from early childhood development through 12th grade. She goes to Living Stones Church in Crown Point, Indiana, where she volunteers by greeting people and caring for infants in the nursery. She was a best friend of this classmate growing up, and she provided a place for her to stay while they waited for the more permanent housing option to be ready.
“Somebody - I don't know who - told Arlene that I used to be best friends with this classmate growing up. Arlene got in contact with me and asked me if I could talk to our classmate. She stayed with us for about a month until she could get into her own place,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell was able to further the process of their classmate beginning to better her life. The 45 days leading up to the apartment being ready were spent preparing for this beautiful new beginning.
“I knew that she would feel comfortable with this, so Tracey was my knight in shining armor that housed her for 45 days until the apartment was ready. We couldn't have done it without Tracey, that's for sure. She really was the key to getting her out of being homeless,” Fliege said.
Fliege explained that there were countless different people who came together to aid their classmate. There were many community members and businesses that were able to help in some way.
“My husband and I collected things from the community. There were over 30 classmates that supported this in many different ways, whether that be financially, or through donations,” Fliege said. “Mayor Matt Murphy's office supported us in finding clothing for her because she only had the clothing on her back. The Caring Place in Valparaiso did that; they gave her a whole suitcase of toiletries and clothing and all kinds of things to get her started for those 45 days.”
The City of Valparaiso came together in order to ensure this classmate had the resources to live in a safe place she could call home. If a lot of people are able to contribute something small, that can constitute monumental life changes for someone else.
“I let our friend stay here with us and try to better her life so that she can live a very fulfilled life and so she can be on our own again. It's great that we were able to help her out,” Mitchell said. “Giving back to the community has great value. We had a classmate that was homeless and our graduating class of ‘99 came together and helped. There is a ton of value in that. I wouldn't trade anything for this opportunity.”
Small contributions and acts of kindness can transform into life-changing events for the lives of others. Although it may not seem as though bringing someone ice cream will change their life, it surely could.
“I hope this brings light to the homeless population in Valpo, and I hope it brings light to all the people that are willing to help and contribute to changing someone's life," Fliege said. "It didn't take much from every single person involved. She now has a permanent home, and feels comfortable and safe."