Neighbors Offer Hand Up To Homeless Man

ATLANTA -- Jake Compton is knee deep in the pond at Winn Park straining decaying leaves from the surface. It's a job he takes pride in along with the other things he does around the area like planting bulbs and spreading mulch.

"I love this park. It's like my own backyard," said Compton.

He means that literally. Compton is homeless. For ten years, he has lived under a tree on the south end of the park that winds through affluent Ansley Park.

But the community is warming to him thanks in large part to one neighbor, Jerry Attkisson, who has befriended Compton.

"About 9 months ago, I started talking to Jake and discovered he's well read and knowledgeable and always looking for something to do for some money. The city dumps mulch in the park, so I offered him $2 for every pile he'd spread," remembered Attkisson.

Compton's work ethic put a dent in Attkisson's wallet.

"I'd come by and count up 25 to 50 piles and realized this guy's serious about his task. My wife and I wrote letters to about 200 neighbors asking them if they'd pitch in to help pay for Compton's services," said Attkisson.

They collected about $4000 and now have Compton overseeing various jobs around Winn Park including trash pickup and pond maintenance.

"I see it as a win-win for us. You can hand someone food or spare change, but where's the respect in that? Since we've given Jake this responsibility his entire personality has changed. He's enthusiastic and takes pride in what he does," said Attkisson.

He's also daring to dream about a future beyond the park. Compton now has a savings account and a cell phone and is saving up to rent a nearby studio apartment.

"Ten years living outside is tough. I'd love to get a permanent address, then an ID, then a second job. That's a life," said Compton.