Chelsea was able to support her family in her job as a full time Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Unfortunately, her hours decreased following the death of her patient. She fell behind in rent and was evicted. She continued to work part-time while she and her daughter lived in motels, her car, or with friends. At times, her grandmother could babysit but frequently she had to take her 8-year-old daughter to work with her. Eventually, this was discovered and she was terminated. Chelsea struggled to find a job and began to suffer from anxiety. HCF was able to place her daughter in after school programs, camps, and private tutoring year round, as well as provide a mental health referral, housing resources, and budgeting support to Chelsea. In March, she landed a full-time CNA position working 42 hours per week at $14 per hour. She was then able to secure permanent housing and moved into an apartment.
Whitney and her two-year-old daughter were kicked out by her abusive boyfriend when she was eight months pregnant. She had no friends or family in the area to support her, so she was forced to live on the streets. HCF caseworkers built a team of Family Support Workers and Case Managers from other local agencies to provide help for this mother in her desperate need. She received help with motel funding, food, mental health services and parenting support. A volunteer rode the public bus with her one day to teach her the routes. In spite of the long bus rides, Whitney brought her two daughters to Childcare Resources every single day which allowed her to return to work. The two daughters flourished in the program and met their development milestones. She recently made the decision to move to Orlando to share an apartment with a friend, a positive outcome for her. HCF connected Whitney to resources in that county to create a seamless transition.
Sasha noticed that her apartment had a really bad smell from a water leak. She and her four daughters became constantly sick and experienced breathing issues due to the mold. Her property manager turned down a request to be moved into a different unit and a new paint job was all that was offered. She did not feel that she could afford to move, because her apartment was in a low income development. Eventually, the mold was growing on the children's clothing and the furniture. After two years, management finally agreed to move her saying that it would only take a week to rehab the new unit. Sasha agreed and moved into a motel with her children. Unfortunately, the date kept being pushed back and the disruption caused her to lose her job. Now she was homeless, bouncing around while waiting three months for the apartment. HCF placed the children in enrichment programs and camps, helped her secure motel funding, search for housing and find employment. With our help, she secured $4,500 from a rehousing program and was able to move into a 2 bedroom apartment. Although small, it is a home for her and her four daughters.
Robyn and her three children lived in motels, her car, or couch surfed for many months. HCF set her children up in after school enrichment programs and camps, which enabled her to seek employment. With this support and an active Case Manager, Robyn received security deposit funds and short term rental subsidy from an employment program. She and her children moved into a single house. Her children will be placed in summer camps and HCF will provide continued support as long as it is needed.
Sarah is a single mom with three children. Her adorable toddler came to us at 16 months old. Having spent most of his life in a car seat, he was unable to crawl, walk, or talk. He began attending our collaborative program at Childcare Resources, and has received many support services (OT, PT, ST). Today he is thriving! Our Case Manager placed Sarah's older children, ages 7 and 12, in after school, private tutoring and camps that run throughout the year. Over this time period, Sarah and her family have been through it all; they have lived in several motels, friends' homes, a shelter, their vehicle, a tent and even slept on a basketball court. Sarah soon learned that HCF would not give up on her as she had always found with other support systems. With advice and assistance from our HCF Case Manager, and now fully employed, Sarah and her children were able to move into a mobile home after experiencing homelessness for over two years!
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of our clients
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