Photo of Antoine Tookes courtesy of the Center for Family Resources

The following news release was submitted by the Center for Family Resources:

If there were one word to describe Antoine Tookes, it would be resilient. The hardships in life he has faced would make some men break. Still, there was one driving force that kept him going each day: his love for his young son Marcus* (name changed to protect privacy). Antoine’s desire to properly care for his son is what drives his every action and why he found himself at The Center for Family Resources (The CFR).

“In 2017, Marcus’s mother went to sleep and did not wake up,” said Antoine. “I was in a lot of pain emotionally, but my focus was on caring for my son.”

While Antoine was employed before 2020, when the COVID pandemic occurred, he lost his steady job. “At that time, they were closing daycares, and I did not want my son to just go anywhere,” he said.  “Good childcare is a real hardship for families, and it can be very hard to find something that is even adequate. I was not going to leave Marcus with just anyone. So, I ended up losing my job to ensure I was caring properly for my son.”

For the next few years, with no family network to assist, Antoine found himself moving from job to job. He and Marcus had difficulties finding permanent housing, so they stayed with friends, lived in shelters and slept in their car. He says life got unbearable when he and his son were in the car for three weeks straight.

It wasn’t until Antoine first went to The CFR’s Family Cupboard choice pantry this year that things began to turn around. Working with a CFR case manager, Antoine discussed his challenges with housing, and now he and his son finally feel like they’re forming a stable foundation.

The family first went short-term housing for about 45 days, and with the case manager’s help, Antoine applied for the Marietta Housing Voucher—securing a permanent placement for housing. This month, he was able to obtain the lease in his name.

With the help of The CFR, Antoine says he has a support team and a community behind him. “I grew up with parents who were addicted to drugs,” he said. “So, for me and my son to have this kind of support, it is like having a family.” Antoine participates in The CFR’s life skills and parenting classes and likes to visit The Family Cupboard because he’s able to choose the foods he and his son like.  

Antoine also received help from a CFR donor, Tyrone Burke, who has been helping CFR families for the past five years. Tyrone bought Marcus five pairs of pants, shoes, a bookbag and other items to get him ready for school this year.

“Like Mr. Tookes, I didn’t come from a stable home,” said Tyrone. “I never knew my Dad.”

Tyrone says that asking for help is not easy, especially when it is coming from a man, but that sometimes, that is what a man must do. “I am happy to assist,” he said. “My sons are grown, so I have the time and energy to give back. I was a single Dad, too, raising two boys. I know what the struggle is like to raise a child and to need assistance. I am in a position now where I can help someone and give back, so why not?”

Antoine says the help from The CFR and Mr. Burke give his family a better foundation. “They gave me the training wheels so I can go along and get to riding,” he said. “My son calls this new home his ‘safe place.’  The CFR staff works like they really care about my family.”

The Center for Family Resources is a Cobb County not-for-profit that assists children and families who face homelessness. If you know a family with children who are struggling with homelessness in Cobb County, visit thecfr.com for more information. The agency relies on donations from the community to support its mission. To donate, visit bit.ly/3XWqqre.