Cozy holiday greetings once again! We are continuously grateful for your support this year and every year. You’re the reason neighbors have stable housing, employment and education assistance, and access to child development services. We cannot do this without you.
We’d like you to meet Michael. He has lived at Housing Hope for a few years and has engaged with additional available programs. Michael spent over a year unhoused working with a Housing Navigator and his Child Protective Services case worker to find housing.
A space at Housing Hope’s emergency shelter opened up at that time, where he stayed for 90 days until an apartment became available. As soon as he had stable housing, his Child Protective Services case was closed, and his boys came to live with him. Things seemed to move pretty fast from there. He learned about Tomorrow’s Hope immediately, since his apartment complex is right next door. He enrolled the boys, who were toddlers at the time.
They are now 7 and 10. They have grown so much since going to Tomorrow’s Hope, not just in age, but in developmental and social skills. Michael explained
that both boys were so shy and reserved and had a lot of separation anxiety when they first started. Now, his youngest son, Mason, LOVES going there every day before and after school!
Since they live at the Housing Hope residence next to Tomorrow’s Hope, Mason’s always waving and saying “Hi” to his friends and teachers from their apartment window as he sees them walking by. Michael has seen such a significant change in them in the past five years.
In addition to child development support, Tomorrow’s Hope also provides resources like clothing, diapers, hygiene products, dinners, game nights, field trips, and special gifts on Thanksgiving and Christmas. As Michael said, “All of these things were huge when I was moving into my own place after being unhoused. They helped me take care of the kids’ basic needs and some!”
The staff also went the extra mile to help with behavioral support when his older son, Xander, was experiencing some challenges. One of the staff members, Emily, scheduled meetings with Xander, Michael, and some of the other staff to work with Xander and help him understand the importance of and value in school. Michael saw steady improvements in Xander’s outlook in part because of these meetings. He appreciates the kindness, understanding, and flexibility consistently displayed by the staff.
Once Michael had compassionate childcare and stable housing, he started looking for a job through WorkSource. They helped him find a paid internship program at the Habitat Store. After six months there, a full-time position opened up, and a coworker recommended that he apply for it. It was the Assistant Manager position. He went for it and got the job!
“In the last few years that I have lived at Housing Hope, I have completed parenting classes, finished a paid internship program that led to me securing a full-time job, and my boys have come to live with me again. Things feel really good and comfortable now.”
Michael’s story illustrates the ripple effect of your contributions, highlighting how your generosity directly facilitates access to essential services and fosters resilience within our community. Your support not only changes individual lives but also helps address broader societal needs, like affordable housing and childcare access.
Would you consider making a year-end gift?
• Monthly gifts provide steady, reliable funding.
• Gifts of stock can be arranged with your financial advisor.
• IRA rollovers are tax-savvy ways to give.
• Estate planning gifts create a legacy of hope.
Together, we can continue to change lives and build brighter futures for families. Thank you for your commitment to creating a better tomorrow for today’s children.
Merry holiday season to you and yours,
Donna Moulton, CEO
Housing Hope and HopeWorks