Family Stories

A Story of Courage
(Note:  Photos used in this web site are generic photos and not photos of actual individuals who utilize, or have utilized, the services of the Family Shelter)

The primary mission of Family Shelter is to provide food and shelter to homeless families. An important part of that mission is to work diligently with families to help them gain stability, while they work to get back in mainstream society. Families become homeless for a variety of reasons: evictions, family break-up, re-location, and escaping abusive situations. In 2000, we admitted women and their children who were fleeing an abusive spouse more than any other reason. Initially, we refer abuse cases to Sistercare; unfortunately, the need is so great Sistercare can not always accommodate all the families in need. When possible, Family Shelter will take the overflow.

Kia is a perfect example. We recently admitted Kia who fled Ohio and an abusive husband. She had endured years of abuse and refused to be a victim any longer. Kia did not want her children to grow up in a hostile and abusive environment, for she too had grown up in a very unstable environment. Kia packed her belongings a little at a time, until she had enough to leave. This young lady had no idea where she was going, but she knew she could not look back at a life of pain and sorrow. After two days of traveling and little money left, Kia and her three children found themselves in Columbia. Kia called Sistercare and other shelters and explained her family’s situation, but they had no room for her family. In desperation, Kia called the Family Shelter for help. Fortunately, a room was available for her family. By providing stable quarters, Kia was able to find a job. Through Family Shelter’s help she is receiving assistance with much needed childcare, and other needed services through Family Shelter’s other partners.

Kia is also close to securing housing for her family. Family Shelter has very limited funds, just enough to provide the bare basics of food and shelter, and can not provide additional assistance. Will you help us help Kia and her children prepare for their move? Kia needs household items, like furniture, linens, and cleaning supplies. Stability and brighter days are on the horizon for this family. Kia is grateful for agencies like The Family Shelter. We are glad we were able to help this family prepare for a better way of life. Your financial contributions to Family Shelter help us continue to provide needed services for families like Kia’s.

A Word of Thanks

Recently a former resident stopped by to visit. You may say, "What is unusual about that?" It is not unusual for former residents to stop by. They normally come by for referrals or holiday assistance, but this resident stopped to say thank you.

This resident (Helen) along with her husband, and her children came to the shelter after being evicted from their home and having to stay in a hotel that was overpriced for the conditions. Even though the children were over the age limits, an exception was made to the admission policy. Helen came in and began doing program requirements, i.e., looking for employment. Helen informed me she had done a lot of cooking in the past and desired to look for employment in the same area. I referred her to companies I thought would employ her. One day, Helen left the shelter in search of employment just as she had done before, but this particular day, Helen never returned to the shelter. Her husband and children did not know her whereabouts. It was during the next day I learned that Helen was battling an addiction problem. Helen had not informed me about her problem.

Helen returned 3 days later. Her appearance was unkempt and she had an undesirable smell. (I later learned the smell was what one smelled like after using crack-cocaine). Helen was disappointed of her behavior, because not only did she violate shelter’s policy for staying out, but she also knew her children had been worrying. Helen was ashamed of her actions, but she was not too ashamed to ask for help. She asked me to help her get admitted into an inpatient treatment center, I did. Helen was allowed to stay two (2) additional days until a bed was available at a local treatment center.

I never heard from Helen. From time to time you wonder how the families that you have helped are doing and what they are doing. Helen was no exception, I often wondered did she complete her treatment? Did she relapse? One day I walked in the office from lunch and this lady was talking to another staff person. Initially, I did not recognize the lady, but after a second glance I recognize her to be Helen. She had stop by to say thank you for the patience and compassion she was shown. She was grateful for the assistance she received to address her addiction problem. To me I was doing my job, but to Helen this was an ultimate act of kindness.