Holidays wishes come true for Anthony Walker and his daughter

December 2007: When Anthony Walker came to Minnesota two years ago with his six-year-old daughter, Karmita, he had no place to live, no job, and a criminal record. But he also had tremendous resolve to build a better life for his family.

Anthony and Karmita left behind a home in Chicago with no heat or electricity; they were surrounded by drug users and poverty. When they arrived in Minnesota they lived in various shelters; Anthony’s sister helped look after Karmita while he looked for work. He had a job as a security guard at the Mall of America for a while, but was terminated when they found out about his criminal history. “It was then that I lost hope, and I began to believe that I was a loser father to my family,” Anthony says.

Then Anthony found out about a work-readiness program called Momentum, which led to a volunteer position at Hospitality House during the spring of 2006. The following year Anthony completed the Northside Work Readiness Program and he and his daughter moved into Camden Apartments, a supportive housing development for families who have experienced homelessness. The 22 families that live there – most of whom are headed by fathers – offer support and inspiration to one another. They also receive help from staff: the development offers employment training, budgeting and financial planning, after-school care for children, and counseling services.

This fall Mary Pargo, one of the staff from Pillsbury United Communities’ Oak Park Center, nominated Anthony for “Holiday Wishes”, the annual giving program sponsored by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Greater Twin Cities United Way. Anthony supplemented the nomination form with his own letter, telling his story. This week Anthony received a monetary award from the Holiday Wishes program which he says he will use to purchase a television for their apartment, as well as items for his daughter during the holiday season – she wants a computer with Internet access and some new toys.

Anthony recently accepted a job as a caretaker for Camden Apartments and continues to volunteer at Hospitality House. He is optimistic about the life he can now provide for Karmita. “I cannot stop now because I have come too far . . . I have hope again in my life. With all I’ve been through I will always give back because God didn’t stop caring for me and loves me.”