Chapter 6 - Mississippi of the West - Las Vegas (Excerpt from e-book)
- V. Woods
- Jul 6
- 4 min read
Excerpt from Chapter 6 of Let the Chips Fall Where They May
We were in a homeless shelter for five weeks until my application was processed. My tags were stolen off my vehicle while we were living in the shelter. I called my father to inform him that we were in a shelter and that I needed to
get a replacement tag from MS. He said he would try to help in a couple of days but when the time came he couldn’t assist. I would later find out that he told my sister that we were in a shelter in Vegas and were on our way back to
Memphis. Everyday we would have to leave the shelter in the mornings and could return around 3 pm. It didn’t matter where you would go just as long as you left the shelter. Most of our days we would spend in the library. I made friends with the Iman at a nearby mosque who also
owned a natural product store. On holidays, when the libraries were closed, we would hang out at the mosque. The mosque was opened for the community and had a small pantry. Prayer was at noon and music would play on the
loud speaker. My son was there so much that he could translate what was being said. He also gave out food from the pantry.
One Thanksgiving, he helped distribute turkey
to the community. The Muslim community took care of us while we were there. The Iman paid the application fee for my teaching license. During holidays, his mother would cook and celebrate. My son and I were invited for the
holiday dinner.
We were living in the shelter when it was time to sign my teaching contract. The salary that I was told by the Principal was not what was on my contract. In fact, Clark County School District based your salary on your last teaching contract. My last contract was out of
Mississippi. They tried to offer me less than what I previously made. I refused to sign the contract. They stated they would change my contract when they had proof that I made more and that I should just sign. I refused.
I immediately contacted my last employer so they could send over my salary history. Once my contract was changed, I signed it. I assume that the person handling contracts wasn’t used to someone saying No. She decided to call the Principal and tell him how rude I was. Not only had I been lied to about my salary and ended up in a homeless shelter, they wanted me to accept less.
Note: Las Vegas IS NOT for Black People!
Finally, I started my new teaching position. Because I was in the homeless shelter, I received food stamps and money for my son. I was also given a voucher to buy work clothes. The shelter had a program that once you find employment, they would pay your deposit, first month’s rent, and furnish your new home. I tried to stay for those benefits. I would leave work, pick up my son from school, and continue to stay in our room. One day while at work, I told my co-worker what had happened to us. The Principal knew we were in a shelter the whole time but never said anything. My co-worker went into action. Whatever she had done had jumpstarted a wave of miracles that I hadn’t experienced. Another co-worker who I would later refer to as “Big Sis” invited my son and I out to dinner one evening with her family.
It was there she asked if we would like to stay with them until I received my first check and could move into my own place. I accepted. Big Sis and her husband were like family to us. They were from Chicago. Big Sis and I would soon realize our many similarities. I also taught in the after school program. One night before I left, I was called to the office. There waiting for me was a woman who I have never seen before. She worked at another school. The woman had
heard about my situation and handed me $1500 to put some “food in my cupboard.”
Days later it was time to pick up my first check. By this time, it was close to Christmas break. I
left the school to go pick up my check at the Central office. I was handed an envelope with cash in it. I thought to myself that they must have cashed it for me or something. Not only
was there cash in the envelope, my check, and gift cards were also. I broke down crying. The Payroll Department had bought my son and I some items for our apartment. I left with a truck full of items. On my way back to work, I got
a phone call from Payroll stating that they wanted to do more and asked if I could come by the next day and pick up some items. I was able to move into my apartment and I can honestly say that the Payroll and other Departments furnished our whole apartment. By Spring, I had turned a pretty rough class to something the school had never seen….
Excerpt from “Let the Chips Fall Where They May” (The Lessons I’ve Learned When They Fell)
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