As a reader of Speak Up, you probably know the work of Vince Shumate. He’s written extensively about battling homelessness and addiction in Asheville, Charleston, and Miami. His work has been republished by multiple publications and he’s won international acclaim. After years of writing for Speak Up, he’s now publishing on his own at I Am Vince.
Vince is a brilliant writer. And he has battled alcohol addiction for decades. He’s now desperate to find freedom from alcohol—and willing to take the hard steps for it.
In an email two days ago, he wrote:
I’m desperate for sobriety! I look at myself in the mirror and the first thoughts that come to mind are “this isn’t me.”
He followed up yesterday. He’s found a treatment center a couple states away and needs help with some basics to make it happen.
My phone shuts down tomorrow if I don’t get a refill card today. I need shoes. I need transportation to Richmond. I still haven’t gotten glasses.I need dentures. I’ve been wearing the same and only pair of pants for months. I may have conjunctivitis. And the list goes on and on.
We want to raise $300 to help him achieve this milestone change in his life.
We Interrupt This Fundraiser to Help Vince:
Speak Up is in the middle of a fundraising campaign to cover general expenses and seed new opportunities, such as the Pursuit Packs initiative. The folks we serve are people like Vince: often disconnected and without a stable support community.
The next $300 donated will be designated for Vince’s immediate, emergency expenses. Everything beyond that will go to the broader campaign.
Thank you for your partnership!
March 22, 2023
Vince Update & Good Report
Last week we sent out an urgent request, asking for help on behalf of longtime Speak Up contributor Vince.
I’m happy to report that multiple people responded generously—and we were able to hit the Vince funding goal. Vince and I connected today—he shared that he plans to leave Charleston for rehab. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers over these next few critical days.
May 4, 2023
Update on our friend Vince
About six weeks ago we interrupted an energetic fundraiser to ask if anyone could help a homeless friend get to rehab. Vince had been publicly battling alcoholism for years. He’s written about it extensively for Speak Up. He also needed some emergency personal items.
Thanks to your generous response his financial goal was reached within 24 hours!
UPDATE
Vince just reached out with terrific news. He completed the 30-day rehab and detox. He is currently free of any drugs or alcohol!
“I’m 100% sober and plan on being sober tomorrow. It’s one day at a time,” he said.
Thank you for making that happen. He did the work in rehab, but without the larger community support he wouldn’t have even gotten there.
Thank you,
Matt Shaw
Executive Director
