Success Story: "With the Help of God…and the Staff of Room at the Inn"
My name is Brenda; I am a 47-year-old, black woman, who could not have imagined being homeless. I've worked in the St. Louis community for 10 years as a certified nurse assistant, and 10 years as a customer service representative. On November 28, 2006, I became homeless, with three girls depending on me as their provider.
The morning of the 28 th day of May, I called the homeless hotline. The representative with whom I spoke stated she had room for us at a shelter called Room at the Inn, a community-based program which provides emergency shelter for women and families. I was not sure what to expect, since you hear horror stories about shelters, but I had nowhere else to go.
Upon my arrival at Room at the Inn , I met with the site coordinator, named Nicole Spears, a woman with a loving and caring spirit. She showed me around the place and gave me the rules which people at the shelter must follow. She also gave me words of encouragement, which helped us during our time of adjusting to our new surroundings.
The next person I met with was Angela Hamilton, the client coordinator. Her job is to help all the clients with their future housing goals. Let me tell you something about Angela: she's a very hard worker. She meets with everyone who enters the shelter, and she has resources for each and every client need. With the help of Miss Angela Hamilton, I have been blessed with housing for my family.
While at the shelter, I was also blessed to meet Sister Joann Nowak, OSF, the director of the shelter and Sister Stephanie Turck, CDP, the volunteer coordinator. Sister Joann has a firm hand and keeps this place together; she is a good listener and a mother to all of us at Room at the Inn . Sister Stephanie is part of the Congregation of Divine Providence, and she has the sweetest spirit I know! She is very good with the children at the shelter, and she is loved by all. She has the softest spoken voice, with words of encouragement, to all who come in contact with her. Sister Stephanie is truly sent to this place by God; she is a blessing to us all!
To all the ladies/men who reside at Room at the Inn , now and in the future, keep your head up and look to the hills from which cometh your help! For all of our help cometh from the Lord…and the staff at Room at the Inn.
Thanks,
Brenda and Family
Success Story: "The Bumps on the Road" Sometimes there are a few bumps on the road to financial self-reliance. Sometimes there's a major collision! But with a little help from family and friends and trust in a Provident God, the journey can come to a successful end.
Nakia, 25, knows a thing or ten about financial struggles. When she came to Room at the Inn in August, 2007, Nakia and her five children had been living in her car. Her children, ages 8, 5, 3, 1 and 3 months, went to live with family members when Nakia entered the shelter. She saw them on weekends while she worked to secure a place for them to live as a family.
Within a short time working with Room at the Inn staff and other programs, Nakia got a job as a bus driver. She had her own car, and she used it to leave the shelter early every day to get to work. She continued to work her plan with the shelter staff and was in line for a five-bedroom home through, an agency that provides monitored, transitional housing. Thanks to her hard work, everything was beginning to come together for Nakia and her children.
Then Nakia wrecked her car.
In the blink of an eye, Nakia's opportunities were about to disappear. She needed the car to get to work, and she needed the income from the job to qualify for housing. She felt like despairing: she had worked so hard, and housing had been so close.
Room at the Inn Program Director Sister Joann Nowak, OSF , is not one to accept defeat, however. She called staff together for brainstorming, and they began making phone calls. Once the problems with the car were resolved Nakia was able to continue working on getting temporary housing and her journey to self-reliance; the set-back with the car was not allowed to ruin her chances for housing.
Nakia took possession of her home on August 24 th . She is ready to start a new life, reunited with her children. It will be a challenge, but she will continue life-skills classes and her progress will be monitored. Nakia now recognizes this detour on her journey as a learning experience. The lessons she's taken away are simple, but important: the value of hard work, the kindness of strangers and the compassion of a Provident God.
Success Story:
"
Hard Work Pays off for
Mother of Three"
Mrs. J became homeless when her husband walked out on her and their three children. She got behind on her rent and utilities and had to give up her home and move in with her father. After staying there for a couple of months, he told her she had to leave because he could not handle a family of four in his home. Mrs. J called the Homeless Hotline and was referred to Room at the Inn . She brought her three children with her. They are a boy, age 12, and girls ages 8 and 3.
This family's only income is child support of $242/month and food stamps of $506 a month. Mrs. J was last employed as a senior manager at a fast food restaurant, but lost that job because of child care issues. She owes outstanding debts for gas, electric and phone services.
While at Room at the Inn , Mrs. J completed the budgeting classes and attended the GED and parenting classes. She received evaluations and assistance from a mental health counselor, nurse, domestic violence counselor, drug and alcohol counselor, parent educator and a host of other social service providers.
Mrs. J continued to go to her church while at Room at the Inn . Her children were well behaved. She was determined to follow our program, starting with making sure she put money in savings for housing. Impressed by her willingness to make changes and work hard, we referred her to Good Samaritan Transitional Housing, and she was accepted. This family moved into a four bedroom furnished apartment.
Mrs. J has been hired back to her past job. Daycare will be provided at no charge through Good Samaritan. She said that everything is going great for her. She will continue to study for her GED while working because she wants to someday get back on her feet and become a homeowner. I can see her exceeding her goals.
Submitted by Angela Hamilton,
Client Coordinator
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