Doug Carter story

My mom raised me with help from her parents. I went to grade school at Xavier on Spring before SLU bought them out. I was in high school when my grandmother passed away. My grandfather passed away about 10 years ago. My grandfather was my father figure growing up. We used to watch wrestling together and went to a couple of matches believe it or not. We saw Rick Flair, Harley Race, Bret Hart and the Von Eric brothers wrestle at the Chase before it closed. I think Race has his own wrestling school now. I met a wrestler called Hiku. That man was a very big man. In fact, his hand covered mine. I remember thinking I don’t ever want to make this man mad. I got autographs and everything.

I basically grew up as a kid in the city and as a teen in north county. I attended Rosary and then Hazelwood East for high school. My mom wanted us out of the city. I missed it but I have to admit, living in the county was less stressful.

In my twenties I worked and lived with roommates. I eventually got layed off and had to move out of the boarding house. That’s when I found myself homeless for the first time.

I didn’t want to move back in with my mom because I felt as though I was beyond that. I just wanted to find my own way at that point.

I continued to find work off and on through temp services. Some of the guys I met through the temp services were homeless. I asked where they stayed and eventually joined them.

At first I stayed at a shelter but that was dangerous and more trouble than it was worth. I left and spent 90 days in the shelter at Peter & Paul Community Services and then another year in Peter & Paul’s Transitional Housing Program. It was while I was in the Transitional Housing Program that I learned about the street soccer program.

I continued to work with Peter & Paul staff on my résumé and stayed involved with the soccer team. I have no idea as to why, but the coaches and players chose me as team captain. I was pretty happy about that.

I remember one winter sleeping out in a tent behind an abandoned building downtown with a couple other guys. One of the guys at our camp froze to death. He had been there throughout the winter and rarely got out of the cold when the weather was really bad. It finally caught up with him. It was really sad but there was no helping him.

I finally landed a part time job as a facilities manager for an organization on the north side last fall. It’s not a lot of money but it includes housing. I owe that to Peter & Paul and to myself for finally getting it together.

After a long time of being homeless I’ve got my own place. I want to try for my chauffeur’s license next so I can operate a cab and bring in more money.

Looking back now, I was just tired of being tired, tired of losing jobs and moving from place to place. Through it all I’ve kept my faith and continue to attend church services every Sunday. I’m actually proud of myself and where I am now. I’ve come a long way.

To me, grace means peace of mind and being on your own feet again and finding my way again. I thank everyone who supported me while I was homeless by the way.

I keep in touch with my mom but haven’t told her about my place and the job yet. I think I’m going to wait to tell her on her birthday. That will be a nice surprise.

Dougie showing off his new crib to the coaches!