Meet Lynell. She is charismatic, has a contagious laugh and loves helping others. A proud mom of two, Lynell says that raising her children is her foremost job, and when she talks about them she can’t help but glow. Not only is TreVon (20) a doting older brother to younger sister Christa (7), he’s also a great role model; he is currently a junior in college. Together, the three are a very happy family.
You’d never guess that at one point they were homeless.
Years ago, Lynell and her family were without a stable home. They sought refuge at DC Village, the former DC emergency housing shelter, for a period of six months. Then they were placed at Community of Hope’s Girard Street Shelter. That’s when everything changed. Reminiscing about being a resident at Girard Street, Lynell says, “I loved it there. We were able to get our lives together.”
Today, Lynell is a client in Community of Hope’s Permanent Supportive Housing program and has remained stably housed. She recognizes her Community of Hope Case Manager as an integral part of her support system. “My case manager isn’t just doing her job, she really cares. She listens to my needs and helps me reach my goals.” With her son as her motivation, Lynell now feels empowered more than ever to complete a journey that she started many years ago – obtaining her Associates Degree. “I want to own a business that helps people. I am dedicated to helping others, partly because of my experiences with Community of Hope!”
