What began as a celebratory trip quickly became a fight for survival. Ebony planned a weeklong vacation that turned into her being stranded for two months when Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas during her stay in 2019. “I was planning to celebrate a major milestone, but had no clue that a storm was coming,” says Ebony. Once the storm hit, planes were grounded and her savings for the trip quickly dwindled, leaving her stranded physically and financially.
“It was a fight to get back, but it took volunteer doctors from FEMA to help me get back home,” says Ebony. When Ebony returned to D.C, life looked like nothing she expected. She had spent two months navigating danger and uncertainty. By then, she had lost her footing—no stable housing, little to no nearby family support, and mounting anxiety after such an ordeal.
“I made getting stable my full-time job,” she says. “I went to the library every day. “I had an aunt that let me crash at her house while I started to rebuild.”
One day at local farmer’s market, a stranger overheard Ebony talking about food and transportation challenges and said, “You need to meet Eugene.” That led Ebony to the Bellevue Family Success Center (FSC) where she found exactly what she’d been searching for: people who listened, responded, and followed up.
Over the past two years, Ebony has built steady relationships with the Bellevue FSC team—especially Eugene and LaToya—who became her bridge to practical help and peace of mind. “Sometimes your mind is overwhelmed,” Ebony explains. “Just having someone patient who says, ‘We don’t know, but hold on—we’ll look it up,’ makes all the difference.”
At Bellevue FSC, Ebony received direct connection to resources, quick calls to check in, and thoughtful referrals. Staff helped Ebony navigate her health insurance, secure a dental referral, and connect to emotional wellness resources as she healed.
Today, Ebony’s calm confidence tells the story of her own resilience—and how far hope has carried her. She recently received a permanent housing voucher, is working toward her diploma, and plans to launch a nonprofit to fill community gaps.
“People don’t understand how hard it can be to just get a meal or sustain yourself as you go through this type of trauma,” says Ebony.
Through the Bellevue Family Success Center—now celebrating five years of service—families in Bellevue are connected to resources, supported in times of need, and strengthened toward lasting stability.
