Former homeless man secures job at local college

VO: Ammon – For one Ammon local, roaming the streets with a sign in hand and begging for money was a somewhat profitable lifestyle.

SOT: “Out on the street corner banging cardboard is what we call “signing” to get money, and it was pretty good it wasn’t bad,” Gus Callas said.

VO: Gus Callas, California native, is a former homeless person that jumped a to train Idaho in 2012. During that time a Calls was passing through and didn’t have plans to stay in East Idaho.

SOT: “A herd of people going through. I might as well just stay where I’m at until everybody gets settled. I stayed a little bit too long now,” Callas said.

VO: During the holiday season in 2012 Callas was out drinking one night, apart of his normal routine when he tumbled into a dry canal and passed out. For days he lay there until had nearly frozen to death he said.

SOT: “I had rocks frozen to me. You can check the medical record,” Callas said. “Ten days like a human popsicle. If it wasn’t for a guy walking his dog, I would be dead,” Callas said.

VO: After being found he was taken to the hospital, and when he got better he was directed to Club Inc. and organization partnered with the United Way. Club Inc. supports the recovery of people coping with housing issues, or mental health or substance use disorders.

VO: Through the help of case manager Blair Bradley and many hours of rehabilitation, Callas was able to regain independence.

SOT: “Gus has been a great success. I’ve been working with Gus for over two years. I’ve seen his demeanor. He utilized a lot of the programs that were here,” Bradley said. “His life skills developed immensely. He got employment. He looked at all the resources.”

VO: He worked hard to remove himself from his past lifestyle and secured position at Eastern Idaho Technical College. For 15 months Callas has worked as a greeter and assists students and visitors.

SOT: “I made the effort until I was able to get out on my own. My whole thing was getting out on my own. I just didn’t know that there was a job such like working for EITC every out there, until I found it,” Callas said.

VO: Because of the United Way’s support, Club Inc and other organizations are able to help those in need become self sufficient.

SOT: “I love my job. It’s just tremendous. I get to help everybody. The people I work for, they help me out.”

VO: In Idaho Falls, I’m Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com