When Heather found out she was pregnant, she felt lost. She had been struggling with homelessness and addiction since the pandemic, caught in a cycle of instability and toxic relationships. The idea of bringing a child into her world—one filled with uncertainty—was terrifying. She reached out to organizations for help, but time and time again, she was turned away or left waiting.
When she found Community of Hope everything changed.
Heather’s first connection to Community of Hope came through the HONEY Program (Housing Our Newborns Empowering You). This new, innovative program supports pregnant people experiencing homelessness with connection to prenatal care, pregnancy resources, and care coordination. She met Ms. Shenia Allen, her care coordinator, who became her strongest advocate!
“She was calling me every week. And I actually finally felt like I had somebody on my side, actually advocating for me. Because at this point, I had so many caseworkers from all these different programs, and just nothing. It was like I was doing the work. I was calling to check on them because I wasn’t hearing anything from these people. And it was just getting frustrating. But Ms. Allen helped me., She’s the one that actually got me into our place.”
With Shenia’s persistent outreaches, Heather secured a spot with a transitional housing program for survivors of domestic violence. It was the stability she had desperately needed. No longer having to worry about where she and her baby would sleep at night, she could finally focus on building a future for her and baby Hakeem.
Having a home was only the beginning.
Through the HONEY Program, Heather was also connected to Community of Hope’s Home Visiting Program, which became an anchor for her and her newborn son. The Home Visiting Program supports parents in giving their children the best start in life—all from the comfort of home. Our home visitors provide guidance on child development, parenting, health, and community resources—helping families set and achieve their goals.
From preparing for a baby’s arrival to connecting families with vital services, we’re here every step of the way. Families can stay in the program until their youngest child turns three.
Every week, Merrick, one of our family case managers, is in her home, offering guidance, resources, and hands-on activities to support Hakeem’s early development.
“Merrick comes once a week for Hakeem, and we do little activities with him just for his development. I’ve learned so much about his growth—things I wouldn’t have known on my own. It means everything to have that kind of support.”
Now, with housing and childcare support, Heather is looking ahead. She’s considering going back to school—either to refresh her skills as an esthetician or pursue a new career as a surgical technician. Thanks to the daycare program at her housing facility, she can start working toward financial independence!
“I might just go back and do a refresher class. Or maybe do the master esthetician program. But I really do want to get into the medical field and do surgical tech. I’m just trying to weigh my options for what would work best for me and Hakeem right now.”
Beyond her own future, Heather has also found a new purpose: giving back. She now serves on several councils, advocating for other mothers facing the same struggles she once did, including our HONEY program’s Community Advisory Council.
“I just want to help the mothers that are struggling and are in similar situations that I was in. Just to help with resources and make it easier for them, especially if they’re pregnant, because that’s a very stressful time and you just want to have everything together. But it’s kind of hard. I just want to make an impact and help relieve the stress of mothers in similar situations.”
For mothers like Heather, the journey isn’t easy—but it’s possible with the right support. Her message to others in similar situations is simple: Don’t stop trying.
“There are so many resources out there that can help. But you really have to advocate for yourself and definitely follow up. Because sometimes you just get lost in the paperwork, and sometimes they just don’t really care, you know? Until you find somebody that actually does care—someone whose passion is to help people. … . So never give up.”
Heather’s story is one of strength, transformation, and hope. Thanks to our HONEY and Home Visiting programs, she found a community that uplifted her and helped her build a future filled with hope and stability. And now, she’s ready to help others do the same.
