Rob Weigle is honored

Rob pictured with 3 fans

CONGRATULATIONS to Rob Weigle for winning Homeless Services Network's "Outstanding Personal Achievement" Award. Rob accepted the award last Saturday and led A Way Home's 3 mile walk to raise awareness about homelessness. We are so proud of you, Rob!

You can read his nomination below...........
In 2001, Rob found himself between a rock and a hard place: employers claimed he was too disabled to work, but the government claimed he was not disabled enough to receive a monthly SSI payment. Without an income, Rob was forced to move into a shelter in Boston, where he spent over a year. During this time, his disability claim was approved by the government and the income allowed him to move into permanent housing. While in the shelter, however, he made a promise to God that if there was a way he could himself without working, he would devote the rest of his life to helping individuals experiencing homelessness.

Rob has done just that. In Boston, after moving into housing, he went to work for SpeakUp!, a consumer advocacy group of current and formerly homeless individuals. When he moved to Charlotte in 2003, Rob quickly located the Homeless Helping Homeless group and became a committed member. Rob has had nearly perfect attendance at the group’s meetings since first joining. Rob has spoken before city council and county commission, registered individuals to vote, and even stepped in to serve as facilitator for the HHH group when their was an absence of leadership in the summer of 2006.

The group has deemed Rob the “ambassador of information” as he remains informed on federal and local issues through the media and attendance at HSN meetings and shares this information with the homeless community.

Rob is passionate about breaking down individuals’ stereotypes about homelessness and ensuring homeless individuals are respected in the public forum. For his tireless commitment to the homeless community, I nominate him for the Outstanding Personal Achievement Award.