Resident Gives Back Through Pinellas Hope, Fresh Start Mentoring

Everyday Inspirations is a series that features people in Patch communities who inspire others through their work, or people who have faced extraordinary situations and grown from them. They have been featured by other people in the community that have been inspired by the nominees.

Name: Jim Parr
Town: Saint Petersburg, FL
Nominated by: Bonnie Parr

Why is this person an "Everyday Inspiration?" 
Jim spreads his joy everywhere he goes. You will find him with a smile, simple "hello," a song related to a person's name, a few kind words or a hug (kiss for older women- they love it). People always comment that they want some of what he's got.

He says it's all God- not me. He's genuinely friendly to everyone- wherever he is- store, street, cruise ship or his own driveway.He is described as a "warm and fuzzy" person.

Has the nominee's life been changed in an extraordinary way? 

Jim is a very humble person and when we got together 17 years ago claims he was on a downward road. This happened following several crisis situation in his life and not having the presence of God or any "Godly people" to help see him through. He truly believes that the Lord sent me to save him.

All I did was show him that he was of value, that he had a very loving heart and that with the help of God- he could accomplish anything he set out to do. His self esteem has increased dramatically and as a result because he feels so blessed, his goal with the rest of his life is to help and be an inspiration to others.

How does this person work to make others' lives better?

Since 2007, when Pinellas Hope opened, that has been his main mission. People donate things to him and he sells the things that Pinellas Hope can't use and the money is used for dinners, parties and special programs that, with the help of our church, we plan and carry out. He also scraps to make extra money for his mission. He also calls himself "the tooth fairy" and has financed teeth for many homeless people at PH. Again, this is all about increasing a person's self esteem. (He knows all about the importance of that.)

He also tries to keep in touch with persons leaving PH through positive moves and choices. He has one working for him now, selling donated things at the flea market for him.(he pays him a percentage.)

He worked in organizing the clothing closet at Safe Harbor (homeless facility run by the Sheriff's Department) when it opened. He worked countless nights distributing clothing. He even entrusted some of the residents with work around our home for pay.

He helped a needy single mother whom he found through wanted in Craigslist. We provided Christmas for them following providing them with furniture. Being a retired mechanic, he is always offering assistance with car problems and has been instrumental in saving people money from unscrupulous car people.

He participates in "Fresh Start" where he mentors men coming out of jail on probation. The goal is to keep them on track with their probation requirements.