Brice was a citizen of Haiti until 2019. During his life, he has been exposed to much turmoil, including hurricanes, earthquakes, political unrest, and crime. He lost his father at a young age, and his mother had to work three jobs in order for him to stay in school and complete his baccalauréat (the equivalent of a high school diploma).
Despite these obstacles, Brice worked hard and eventually became the president of the Election Commission Office in Carrefour (Haiti). During his time in the Election Commission Office, he met people from many different countries and cultures, including a woman with dual citizenship (Haitian/American) whom he married. Soon after, he relocated with her to the United States in search of a better life.
Brice had not been in the country long when his marriage turned violent. This reached a climax when he had to be hospitalized. Brice made a decision to leave his home because he was afraid he would be seriously injured or even killed.
Brice’s primary language was French, he spoke little to no English, and he was alone in a foreign country with no family nearby. He stayed in temporary housing through the Salvation Army and took English as a second language (ESL) courses. Through the Salvation Army, he heard about Atlanta Technical College. Brice had always been good with carpentry and liked the idea of working with his hands. He enrolled in the dual program of carpentry/plumbing and graduated the next year.
One of the instructors at the school knew Brice didn’t have stable housing and referred him to Shelters to Shutters. Brice was accepted into the program and soon after received an opportunity for employment and housing with Gables Residential as a Maintenance Technician. Along with his new apartment and full-time job, he received furniture and a housewares essentials kit from CORT, a Shelters to Shutters partner. Shelters to Shutters provided him with a laptop and access to low-cost Wi-Fi through Xfinity Essentials.
Brice was particularly grateful for his new computer. He’s able to stay in contact with his family in Haiti more easily now. He is also thinking about attending college online.
“I would like to say thank you again for your help and support for everything you have done for me and also to your team at Shelters to Shutters. I received my Dell laptop yesterday. Thank you so much!” – Brice
