Central Florida organization helps man overcome homelessness. Hear his story

This story is part of a collaborative initiative of independent local news outlets working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida. Find the collection of stories here.

This story was originally published by WKMG News 6.

Whether it’s an unexpected hospital bill or a sudden job loss, the reasons for losing a home can be numerous.

In 2022, J’Khari Wilson was working as an accountant in Tampa when he was laid off.

“Unfortunately, I was not really ready for the unexpected circumstance of getting laid off,” Wilson said.

To keep a roof over his head, Wilson initially took a job as a customer service representative doing business-to-business sales.

“I was legit working 80-hour weeks to try to make ends meet,” Wilson said.

Despite his efforts, Wilson received an eviction notice and lost his apartment and car, leaving him homeless.

Wilson moved around Tampa and South Florida before ending up in Orlando, where he still didn’t have a permanent place to live.

However, new opportunities came knocking through Pathlight Home, an organization that offers housing, employment services and career training.

“I was blessed, honestly blessed, and grateful for the opportunity to be able to come inside, use the resources that they have available—the computers, be able to work on my resumé, tweak my cover letter, you know, and take some of the pretty good advice that they have in order to be able to help make sure that I can again land a successful interview and hopefully land that successful position,” Wilson said.

With the help of Pathlight Home, Wilson sharpened his interview skills and eventually secured an accounting position at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.

He now has a home and recently bought himself a new car.

“It allowed me to reintegrate into society, you know, and that’s what, you know, these resources are meant for—not to just take advantage of. It’s meant to always be a benefit to people that are less fortunate,” Wilson said.

To learn more about Pathlight and the resources they offer, click here.

Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.