Success Stories
Mission Moment
The past three years went from ok to losing hope to asking if anyone cared. This mother’s spirit was broken. Domestic violence led her to losing housing, bouncing back and forth between temporary shelters, and ultimately losing her job.
During the intake call, this mother shared, “Last night, as I laid in my car, I looked at my child and said to myself, I have to place him up for adoption tomorrow.” “I did not have the means nor resources to care for him. I am all alone,”
Upon welcoming her into the arms of Good Sam and after settling in, we immediately assisted her with signing up for benefits (SNAP, TANF, and medical insurance). Besides employment, another barrier to securing housing was an outstanding Ameren bill. Resources were provided to assist with this expense and soon she secured a housing voucher from the housing authority. After one month, this mother and child found a property owner who accepted her subsidy and she signed a lease on her very first apartment.
Mission Moment
Living in her car, with her very young 4 children, took a toll on this single mother. She felt embarrassed to go to a shelter, however, knew her current situation was not the life for her and her children. Upon arriving at Good Samaritan House, a housing plan was established. The mother had an outstanding power and water bill in her name which needed immediate attention. GSH was able to locate resources to pay down the outstanding charges.
Next, the mother indicated she had no received child suport for years presumably due to her unstable housing. After reaching out to the child support division, the mother learned she had $2,000 in funds pending. GSH quickly assisted her with budgeting these funds in order to secure permanent housing. After diligently researching rental units, this mom secured a 3-bedroom apartment within her price range.
Mission Moment
Escalated violence in the housing projects forced this mother and her 3 children to move in with very distant relatives. Shortly after, the mother moved to a hotel and used her very last dollar to pay for lodging while trying to find a safe vacant room at a shelter.
Upon arriving at Good Sam, our guest was jobless, in need of legal services, and homeless. GSH worked with her to develop a successful plan. Her first goal was to enroll the children in school; the second goal was to obtain employment; and the third goal was to secure housing.
The mother followed her GSH plan and quickly enrolled her children in school; developed a resume; responded to potential employers; and attended job fairs. Despite acquiring COVID, a set back to her cadence, she remained positive.
One afternoon, she arrived home, ecstatic. She was offered a $45k job and was eternally blessed and grateful. GSH worked with her to develop a budget, based on her new income, and began the steps to assist her in locating housing. Shortly, this determined hard working mother, placed a down payment (of her own money) on a rental home without any goverment assistance.