“When things got rough—juggling family struggles, financial problems, and even trauma from my brother getting shot at our home—Community of Hope stepped in,” says Tytiana Johnson, a mom and longtime Community of Hope patient. “The homelessness prevention program gave us a place to land when we had nowhere else to go —it gave us a way to move forward, even when things felt impossible.”
Tytiana Johnson’s journey with Community of Hope is a story of resilience, anchored in the search for stable housing. Through the housing services offered by Community of Hope, her family found a lifeline and began their path toward stability.
In 2020, while five months pregnant with her first child, Olivia, Tytiana’s life took a terrifying turn. As she walked home, gunshots rang out on her street. The shots hit her house, wounding her 14-year-old brother and leaving her family in shock. “I was in disbelief,” Tytiana shared during her powerful speech at our Night of Hope event. “It was at THAT MOMENT I knew things had to be better for me and Olivia.”
After the shooting, Community of Hope’s homelessness prevention team stepped in. Tytiana and her family were provided with emergency housing vouchers, helping them move to a safer environment. “Living through that trauma made it clear we couldn’t stay there,” she said. “My case manager understood exactly what we needed.” This new housing provided Tytiana with a foundation of safety and stability critical as she prepared for motherhood.
While housing was at the heart of her transformation, Community of Hope’s support extended far beyond housing. Through the midwifery program, led by Dr. Ebony Marcelle, Tytiana received prenatal and postpartum care through both of her pregnancies, ensuring the safe births of her daughter, Olivia, and son, TyZano. “Having a midwife was life-changing,” she said. “They supported me in ways I can’t even describe.”
She also received emotional wellness services from therapist Esperanza Zhang, helping her process trauma and manage postpartum challenges. Tytiana continues to rely on the Bellevue Family Success Center, where Mr. Eugene, her success specialist, assists her with everyday needs—from finding essential resources to helping her apply for her CNA license.
Now, as a mother of two, Tytiana is focused on giving her children what she never had: a stable home and a secure future. “I used to carry my life in a backpack, not knowing where I’d sleep next,” she reflected. “Now, I’m giving my kids the stability I never had.”
Her journey is a testament to the impact of housing support combined with comprehensive care. For Tytiana, Community of Hope remains more than a resource—it is the anchor that has helped her build a future filled with hope and security.
