“Without VoteRiders, I probably would have given up,” Says North Carolina Voter
Prentiss Thomas faced a tough challenge after losing his wallet and state ID while starting a treatment program in a new city. Without a state ID, his enrollment in the program was at risk, and he couldn’t get a job. Getting a new ID required documents and resources he didn’t have. Thankfully, VoteRiders’ North Carolina Organizer guided Prentiss through the complicated process of getting new identity documents and resolved frustrating delays. With his ID in hand, Prentiss secured his future in the treatment program and regained the ability to move his life forward.
BY ERIN CARDEN, DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, VOTERIDERS — NOVEMBER 22, 2024.
Prentiss Thomas had a lot going on. At 54, he’d just packed up his life in Ohio and moved to North Carolina so he could join Roof Above’s SABER treatment program. Then, he lost his wallet.
Now, Prentiss had no state identification — which he was legally required to have to stay in treatment. He also needed a job, but without a state ID, no one would hire him. To get a new state ID, Prentiss would need a few things: his Social Security card, a copy of his birth certificate, transportation to get to his local ID-issuing office, and money, to pay for all of these things. Prentiss had his Social Security card — but no other documents.
Luckily, Roof Above, a homeless services provider in North Carolina, knew just what to do. They connected Prentiss to a trusted partner — VoteRiders.
Prentiss called the VoteRiders Helpline and was put in touch with Kobie, their North Carolina Organizer. Kobie helped Prentiss order a copy of his birth certificate online and covered the cost. But, when it finally arrived after several weeks, it wasn’t even his—it belonged to someone else.
Kobie contacted the Ohio Vital Records Office, returned the incorrect birth certificate, and requested Prentiss’ birth certificate a second time. Five weeks passed, and still no birth certificate. Kobie called his contacts at the Ohio Vital Records Office and explained the urgent situation: Prentiss had been waiting for his birth certificate for over two months. He didn’t have an ID because he didn’t have a birth certificate and without an ID he couldn’t get a job, which meant his housing and medical treatment were also at risk.
“They were more willing to expedite my birth certificate once VoteRiders was on board to find out what was going on and why it was taking so long,” Prentiss explained.
“Without VoteRiders, I probably would have given up, to say the least, because it was a very tiring and complex process.”
Shortly after, Prentiss’ birth certificate arrived in the mail. This time, it was his.
Now, Prentiss had everything he needed to secure his new North Carolina State ID. Kobie then scheduled an appointment for him at his local ID issuing office and arranged a free ride to get him there and back. A few days later, his ID arrived in the mail. Prentiss’ future at SABER was no longer at risk. And now, he could get a job.
“Kobie was phenomenal — not just for me, but for other residents at SABER as well, “ Prentiss said. “VoteRiders has helped many of us acquire the vital documents we need to become productive members of the community here. Kobie has the talent to get the job done and I really appreciate him and his service work. VoteRiders is definitely a godsend. I really recommend it. “
If you or someone you know is looking for ID information or assistance, visit our website to learn how we can help.
