Family Stories:

Domestic Violence

A young mom fled an abusive relationship in the middle of a snowstorm. She found a rare opportunity, buckled her toddlers into car seats, and left with just enough clothes and toys that would fit in their trunk. She fled to family but soon learned that that was no longer an option. Most partners who experience domestic violence will leave and return a handful of times, and it was for this reason that the shelters in the closest proximity would no longer admit her. Despite the uncertainty of where she was to go, she promised her sleeping children that this time was different. This time she was not going back. Since that night she has been able to stay in a hotel due to churches and other organizations that have helped to fund her stay short term. She has spent her days getting on housing waiting lists, applying for aid, and being told no over and over. She spends the majority of her day counting down the days till her hotel room is up, hoping there is one more church or more funding to keep her and her children sheltered until something else comes available. At this point, there is still no next step. 

In Between

Months ago, the impact of COVID on the economy has caused numerous families to lose their jobs, shelter, and often their children. One set of parents was proactive in securing funding to keep them sheltered and together while they dealt with the loss of their home, but soon their housing voucher expired as they could not secure a large enough space to support their 7 children at the cost of their voucher was offered. They wound up on a waiting list again, this time for low-income housing. They were told they should have an opening in 30-60 days. 30-60 days with nowhere to go. Currently, this family is living in a hotel, pursuing efforts to fund their short-term stay, and calling their housing office daily for updates. They tried family shelters and crisis nurseries but they were either full or unable to accommodate this family of 9. They have done everything right. Everything is set. At least in 30-60 days. But until then, where do they go?

Living with Family

Last year, we all celebrated when one of the families we were working with who had children in the foster care system was able to bring babies home. We celebrated her progress with addiction recovery, therapy, setting boundaries, and creating a life for her and her children that is healthy. Her biggest struggle was the barriers of transportation and childcare cost while maintaining a job as a single parent. For a short season, she chose to live with family to help support her. When family became unstable, she made the incredibly brave decision to leave in order to protect her children. Living in a shelter, she is working hard to figure out what is next. She’s been told the waiting lists are long, childcare costs are high and are not provided through this shelter, and navigating rental prices in this housing market feels impossible. She has been working so hard, but feels like no progress has been made. 

In Care

Every few months, she stands before the judge. She has made so many changes since she gave birth in the hospital with no home to take her baby home to. She has been navigating the resources, has been sober for 10 months, has held down a job she has now been promoted in, and has finally received support for her mental health and for the first time in decades, feels like her mental health support is working. But a history of evictions, and a very minimal income in comparison to rental costs has made finding her own space has been beyond challenging. She asks, “how can you be stable if there is no way to be independently stable and to be poor?” With no support system. She is exhausted. She worries she will never bring her baby home. 

Individual Stories:

Diabetic on the Streets

At 30 years old this young man has struggled with type 2 diabetes since his early teen years. After losing a job he ended up on the streets where many of the foods that are served are high in carbs and sugars and he struggles to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. His backpack was stolen… his testing meter was in it. His insulin has to stay refrigerated which is almost impossible on the streets. Injection and testing sites can become infected without access to regular showers. The miles of walking every day are hard on his feet and when he develops sores- he has to be extra careful to his increased risk of amputations to his feet where circulation is reduced due to his condition. Working a full-time job is hard when he does not feel well every day as his sugars are often well over 300.

Single Woman

After fleeing a domestic violence situation this woman slept in her car with her dog. The dog both kept her warm, offered an element of security, and helped with her mental health during this hard season. She tried to call many shelters for help but was not able to enter with her dog. She did not have anyone that she trusted to keep the dog for her and she could not bring herself to surrender the animal who had helped her through so much. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. As the weather got colder, sleeping in the car was no longer a safe option. Multiple men offered her shelter but she knew that the offers came with strings and expectations… but she was cold. If only roots existed today this individual would be able to stay in a safe, warm space that would not require her to exchange sex for shelter. She would and her dog would be able to catch their breathe and move forward in their lives together.

Young and in need of Direction

After aging out of foster care without a support system this young adult found themselves on the street. They were in a housing program but could not afford their rent on their minimum wage job once the subsidy ended. With no family that they can ask for help, they end up on the streets. They crash on couches of friends, sleep at cold weather shelters, and sometimes sleep in stairwells… all the time praying for a family to care and for a place to belong.

Praying it is not too late

He has been on the streets for more than a decade and burned many bridges along the way with people and with resource agencies. Getting older has made it harder and has made him a bit softer. His health is suffering from being without shelter for so long and his willingness to make changes in his life is stronger. Most places only see him as his history and refuse to give him fresh chances. He lays down at night in pain praying for a roof over his head.