Block crew manager finds success in serving community
by Kenny Halt
Robert Patterson is excited. December 20th will mark the end of his parole. There are many reasons to be excited about your parole program ending, but what excites him most is getting his certificate of graduation. It will be a symbol of how far he’s come.
Patterson, 59, has struggled with addiction and housing insecurity for large portions of his adult life. The two have often gone hand-in-hand. Robert has generally always worked if he could find any, but when his addiction would worsen, it’d often see jobs lost and bills go unpaid. By Robert’s own estimate, he’s experienced homelessness on 3 or 4 different occasions, having spent a combined 10-15 years on the street.
Robert’s story of addiction isn’t unique in this world. It isn’t unique in his own family. Three of his siblings have struggled with it as well. A brother and a sister who had their lives derailed by it, and a baby brother who had his life ended by it — tragically killed while attempting to purchase drugs.
Robert will tell you that he feels that throughout his life, he’s had several “golden opportunities” to change his situation and permanently end his homelessness but that he always failed to seize them. Thinking he could control his substance use, his addiction would always get in the way, and those opportunities would eventually disappear. He just wasn’t ready.
Robert’s addiction has at times put him on the wrong side of the law. Seven years ago, was one such time. While incarceration is far from a solution to addiction or homelessness, it was this time of forced sobriety and some level of access to medical care that Robert, who is diabetic, found himself at a crossroads in his life. Prison doctors told him that if he continued his lifestyle, he would eventually require dialysis to survive.
With his survival on the line, Robert took time to reflect on where he was in his life and his relationship with drugs and alcohol. He’d gotten sober a number of times before, but it always ended in relapse, always convincing himself this time would be different and that he’d use responsibly. Looking back on it now, he feels that he’d just been lying to himself.
Robert made a decision. He decided that this time it truly would be different. He would never use again and he would pursue a life that he wanted.
Upon his release, Robert went to The Hospitality Hub, an agency that helps provide resources to those experiencing homelessness. They provided Robert with shelter, a meal, and the opportunity to participate in their work program. Robert would participate in the program for several years, slowly stacking money he made helping to pick up trash and clean up alleys. While The Hub provided Robert with the support to help change his life, it would take time for until enough resources would be available for Robert to get a housing voucher.
Although Robert had taken major steps forward in healing and recovery, temptation lingered. He hadn’t left his old life entirely behind. Although he would remain sober, he struggled to stay away from the people and lifestyle that risked his sobriety and freedom. A parole violation saw him returned to prison. Having to spend another year incarcerated, Robert swore to himself that he would never be back. He’d stay away from what brought him here. He knew what he had to do. He needed to set healthy boundaries between himself and what could interfere with his mission to change his life. That’s exactly what he’s done.
In 2020, The City of Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency began to acquire blighted properties in the North Memphis area. They created programs to maintain them as well as maintain the streets that surround them. Wanting to keep the money in the district they serve, they sought out community leaders and local small businesses that could do the work. They found that in Bearwater native, Glen Lloyd. Lloyd would establish a partnership between his business, Ethic Solutions, and The Hospitality Hub Work Program, which allowed the participants to receive more consistent work and higher wages than The Hub could provide.
However, with only so many openings available, Robert, who had returned to The Hub after his release, would have to patiently await an opportunity to work for Glen.
It eventually came. Another “golden opportunity” — he seized it. Robert’s work ethic and the genuine care he brought to his work immediately impressed and endeared him to Lloyd. Additional responsibilities and opportunities quickly came his way. Glen Lloyd believed in Robert Patterson, and it wasn’t long before Robert was brought on full-time.
“By hiring local workers, especially those who’ve faced barriers to employment, we give them an opportunity to rebuild their lives while gaining valuable work experience,” Lloyd told us. “Our commitment to the community is not just about improving properties, it’s about empowering individuals with the dignity of meaningful work, helping to create safer, cleaner neighborhoods while fostering personal growth and success.”
When the CRA began replacing sidewalks in North Memphis, Robert was called upon to serve as sidewalk liaison, tasked with helping residents stay informed and operate around construction. Robert, as he’s one to do, went above and beyond the call of duty. He’d help residents carry their groceries; he’d lend the construction companies an extra hand if they needed it. He began to be involved in pre-construction walkthroughs, something he’s very proud of. The construction company he worked alongside quickly saw the same potential as Lloyd, and their director would set up a meeting with Robert to attempt to hire him. Robert turned their job offer down. He was going to stick with Glen, the man who had believed in him.
Robert’s journey has been long, but the work he’s put into this community and into himself has paid off. He’s finally received that housing voucher. He continues to work with Lloyd, proud of the positive impact Ethic Solutions makes. He’s gotten his own vehicle and has opened his own lawncare business on the side. It already serves 25 properties.
During their addictions, Robert and his siblings went their separate ways. With Robert’s recovery, he becomes the third to come out on the other side of addiction. Today, he and his siblings are reunited in recovery and peace, living fulfilling lives that honor the life of a brother who is no longer with them.
As Robert walked to his car after this interview, he said he was going to take his girlfriend out to dinner, gave a smile and said “y’know, for a long time, that was something I wasn’t able to do.”