TESTIMONY OF DONNA MATTHEWS TO THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES FOR AN OVERSIGHT HEARING ON THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
February 19, 2009
My name is Donna Matthews. I'm a 42 year old African American female with a 5 year old son named Jaylen. I became homeless in September 2005, going from one shelter DC Village to Families Forward New Beginning (Park Road) to another with my son and my situation not getting any better. I was crack addicted, heroine addicted, depressed, my spirit was broken, I didn't know which way to turn, didn't know what to do. I wasn't taking care of my son or myself properly, including bathing and eating. This is a life I thought I would never live. In August 8, 2006, I became a resident of Community of Hope, Hope Apartments Transitional Treatment Facility for women and their children. I attended CATAADA HOUSE Treatment Program. Since being a resident at COH it truly has given me the love and support that I needed to overcome the obstacles that I've endured. I am bipolar, and I suffer from depression. I lost my dad to cancer in September 2007, only to find out in March 2008, that next year that I had rectal cancer and had to quickly undergo 2 months of intense chemotherapy and radiation, and in the meantime, my last chemo treatment was the same day I graduated from CATAADA HOUSE, and I attended my graduation, while still being compliant at COH. While undergoing chemo and raditation COH case manager, director, and residents accompanied me to my appointments when necessary, very supportive.
Today, I'm very optimistic about life. My cancer is in remission. I've been free from drugs and alcohol for a year and a half and counting. Being here at COH has taught me a lot about life and sacrifice. I'm now in the PHASE at COH where I'm about to transition out to live independently, but with the income that I make it's really frustrating because there's no money left at the end of the month for anything. With the income that I make which is $881 per month, after I pay for rent $264, car insurance $80, phone bill $75, electric bill $50, gas for the month $120, food $200, cleaning supplies $25, laundry $40, personal items $25, I'm left with nothing. I do want to get my hair done once a month, and get my son to the barbershop twice a month and have some room for emergency funds. I appreciate all the information COH has given me, all the workshops, the 2:00 meetings, because of that I am a very different person today. I know about sacrifice, saving. I'm not a flashy person, I just want to be at peace, pay my bills on time, live a decent life, be comfortable, take good care of my son and be able to live independently. With the support that I've received at COH, I'm on the right path. However, I am extremely happy and fortunate to be one who was selected to move into DHS Permanent Supportive Housing program with COH. It has been an answer to my prayer and all that I have hoped for. I believe permanent housing is the end result of all of my hard work.
Sincerely yours,
Donna Matthews
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