Johnny, a homeless man in Brentwood for 25 years, now has a home, according to an article in BJC Today.
Johnny is a soft-spoken man who said he just wandered into a park near the Mid-County YMCA sometime in 1985 and stayed. Residents would see him pushing a shopping cart filled with his possessions on Brentwood Boulevard.
Sometimes businesses helped him out with donations of food and clothing or by giving him odd jobs. But sometimes the police would be called for minor infractions and he’d find himself in jail. After one of these stays he was referred to BJC Behavioral Health and started on the path to finding housing. Michael Binetsch, BA, shelter outreach services senior community support specialist, began reaching out to him last year.
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Binetsch describes Johnny as “a real gentleman.” Johnny was known to leave small anonymous donations at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic church.
Typically, people who become homeless eventually transition into housing once they access support services, but some stay homeless for years. Often, like Johnny, they’re struggling with a mental illness, according to BJC Today.
Binetsch linked Johnny with a treatment team including a BJC Behavioral Health psychiatrist, and worked with him to obtain food stamps. Johnny has been housed since the end of July 2013 through the St. Vincent DePaul’s Project Plus program.
What does he like most about having his own apartment? “The radio,” Johnny said. He said he doesn’t have favorites; he listens to everything. He’s also learning to walk for health and socialization, rather than wandering the streets.
Meanwhile, Brentwood residents noticed Johnny’s absence, prompting the then assistant police chief Dan Fitzgerald (he’s now chief) to post on the City of Brentwood’s blog: “Johnny has left our town. . . Johnny decided to try a new way of life, with the help of BJC. He is now living in an apartment in south St Louis. He has made some positive changes in his life.”
Unbeknownst to Johnny, staff at St. Mary Magdalen church had deposited his donations into a bank account they established for him. By the time he moved into his apartment it had accumulated to more than $600, but Johnny asked that the money be used for the church. His faith encouraged him to help out others, as he was helped, he said.
Johnny .. I hope you see this………….Everyone in our family wishes you all the best. I knew something good was happening because of what you said when we talked last here in Brentwood. As I always said to you –> Peace . Love . and . Rock n Roll .. I wish you that today and always.
I was moved by this story. I hadn’t seen Johnny for quite a while and truly hoped he was OK. Thank you Brentwood Police Dept. And all who have helped Johnny. I wish I would have done more.
We still talk to Johnny Lee Evans at least every two weeks. Johnny has hung out at”A Company of Two” our Hair Salon for over 14 years. We fed Johnny, he got coffee every morning, and fresh breakfast that we cooked for him. He came into our Salon and borrowed books, we made sure he was kitted out for the winter weather. In other words we love Johnny and still do! What ever we could do in little and larger ways, we did it! Brentwood Police should get great big Kidoo’s for the compassion that was extended to Johnny!! We where very excited to meet Mike what a sweet heart! We miss Johnny but are so happy he is safe, and he shared his life with us.
So happy to hear Johnny has found a safe harbor. As a 20 resident of Brentwood, I noticed he was missing and wondered what happened to him. A few times I would buy him a cup of coffee, but I always worried about him. Good to hear he has found home!
Seen him since I was 5..always a really super nice guy…glad he is getting on to better things
What a wonderful community effort. Thanks for reporting this story
Is there any way to know if Johnny needs furniture and/or household goods for his new apartment? I would like to help with those needs if possible. You know what they say…..it takes a village to make things happen. It is this type of activity that makes me proud to be a Brentwood resident!
Yes, I would like to help with this project also.
I just called Brentwood City Hall 2 weeks ago because I haven’t seen Johnny in a while; I was worried about him. I’m so happy to see he’s doing well! I’ve always been hoping the best for him since I started noticing him 8 years ago. Thank you for the story!
Being the father of a mentally ill son, I am very moved by this story.
I would like to offer a heart felt Thank You to Mike Binetsch, the Brentwood police, and all involved with helping this man. May your kindness serve as a template for others when crossing paths with these gentle souls.
You go Johnny.
The Brentwood Police team is commended for referring Johnny to the BJC Behavioral Health team instead of dumping him off someplace in the City of St. Louis like some suburban police departments do to homeless people they find in their city.
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