From Homeless to Hero: Police Officer’s Inspiring Journey

Quick Smiles:

• Lavelle Schaffer triumphs over homelessness to become a Chicago police officer.
• A single business card led to life-changing opportunities.
• Schaffer’s journey inspires his sons and community.

Lavelle Schaffer, once facing the harsh realities of homelessness in Chicago, has transformed his life in a way that feels straight out of a movie.

At 33, he reflects on his journey, saying, “My life has come full circle. It still feels like a movie almost.”

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A decade ago, Schaffer and his pregnant girlfriend found themselves without a home, living day-to-day in survival mode.

“‘Where am I sleeping? Who’s going to stay up?’ That takes a toll on you,” Schaffer recalled.

After enduring over a year on the streets, a pivotal encounter with a Metropolitan Family Services employee at a shelter set the stage for his remarkable transformation.

Armed with a business card from this encounter, Schaffer reached out to the nonprofit, receiving mental health counseling, transportation vouchers, and classes in parenting and personal finance.

These resources equipped him with the confidence and skills needed to join the Chicago Police Department in 2019.

“Ever since then, here I am,” he shared. “It’s 2024 and that one card kind of changed my whole life.”

Now, as a proud father of two young sons, Schaffer inspires them daily.

“They’re looking up to me, and I read their paperwork at school: ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ And they say, ‘I want to be a police officer like my dad,’” Schaffer said.

His connection with Metropolitan Family Services has also led to him being named “Father of the Year” and joining their board, where he offers guidance to other young fathers.

“He not only motivates and inspires the clients; he motivates and inspires us,” noted Carrie Pullie, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Calumet Center.

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