A formerly homeless Lakeland painter is now using that experience to help others get through their homeless situations.

• Jeff Speers lived in a tent for four months in 2012
• Speers now holds outreach events for homeless in Munn Park
• Events provide food, clothes, inspirational message 

Jeff Speers found himself homeless in 2012 after breaking up with a girlfriend. He was broke and thought he would be living in a tent at a campground for a short time.

But then some painting jobs fell through, and that 'short time' turned into four months. 

“It was lonely," Speers told us. "It was disheartening a lot, because when you are alone you don’t have anybody to share your problems with."

Speers had to hitchhike to get to painting jobs, but eventually he got back on his feet and into his own place to live again.

“What it did was it gave me compassion for other people that are in a similar situation," Speers explained. "People that are hungry, people that are homeless.” 

These days Speers periodically holds outreach events for the homeless in Lakeland’s Munn Park. He delivers an inspirational message, a band plays music and volunteers provide food and clothes. 

Back when Speers was living in a tent and lonely, he said he had questions for God. 

“At the time I had no understanding why," he said. "'Why, Lord? Why, Lord, Why?'”

Now, when Speers sees a glimmer of hope in a homeless person’s eye, he sees an answer to his questions. 

“Now I understand why he let me go through that phase of my life," Speers said. "So I can stand up tall and hopefully be a beacon of light for other people."

Helping other people who have suffered in a similar way gives Speers great joy.

“The greatest feeling on earth," he said. "The absolute greatest feeling on earth."