Ms. C’s journey into homelessness started like so many others. However, the teamwork and cooperation between her and her Community of Hope case managers have put her on a path of hope. The Virginia Williams Resource Center in northeast DC is the central intake center for homeless families needing emergency shelter. The most vulnerable families are assigned to DC General during hypothermia season from November 1 – March 31.

I was staying with someone who wasn’t paying the rent I was paying to them – we ended up getting evicted. I was working at my kids’ daycare as a volunteer, and the staff gave us money to stay at a hotel that night. I went to Virginia Williams and told them I’m likely to have my kids taken away by being on the streets, by having nowhere to keep them warm to sleep. They found me a spot at DC General. I stayed for about a month. I racked my brain every night trying to figure out how I was going to get my own place and get my kids stable.

Not long after, I was at Girard Street. There, it was a lot more hands on. You see the case managers every week and get more things done. I was working with Ms. Denise. At first, I was frustrated with the intake because it was so long. But after a while, I had most of the papers I needed, and the ones I didn’t have I worked to get. More doors were opening for me.

After the storms in 2010, Ms. Minozka [COH Housing Specialist] and Ms. Denise asked me about my paperwork for the Homelessness and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). By this time, Ms. Denise and I had been the best team ever! I went to see an apartment on a Thursday. I was approved that same day! My school is next because I want a career. I’m looking in the medical field, maybe a home health aide, a medical receptionist or assistant, something like that.

I want to express to others that it can be done – you just have to get focused. I came a long way. I look at this whole process as my last resort, that I don’t want to ever go back to this. I always thank Ms. Denise for helping me and believing in me.

The case managers are here to help us. You want to work with them because they were working for me. My whole process took less than six months because I was determined. This transformation has done me so good. I want to tell others that they need to be strong for their kids. If they see my story and see my success, that might make somebody want to reach for the stars for their kids.

Ms. C recently graduated from Community of Hope’s HPRP program.