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Stories of Hope

Even though homelessness can be a daunting and overwhelming experience, there is hope. TCHC and its member agencies are working hard to end homelessness and restore a sense of stability back into every client that experiences homelessness in Tarrant and Parker Counties.

Though we have a way to go, TCHC and its members agencies will continue their efforts in preventing and ending homelessness and poverty in our community. Here are success stories from a client and a case manager.

Starting Over: A Client's Perspective

In October 2008, I left a very abusive relationship. I decided I wanted out and packed a car full and my cat and drove away, never to look back. One thing I did not do was make a plan. I ended up in Fort Worth. The first night and many more was spent in my temporary home; my car.

The first week was scary, hopeless, but somewhere in me I was determined. I immediately started looking for a job. At night I had a place to park and sleep. Before long I had police checking on me. I met a lady officer who told me about the Day Resource Center for the homeless. When I went in it was late but that is where I met Ruthie; a guardian angel. She told me about some of the resources they offered but it was closing time so she said to come back tomorrow.  But before I left I noticed the showers and asked about them and I knew there was hope. That night I told my cat that we had some options. I knew that this was the right plan and thank God that I found it.

The next day I took my first shower in awhile. The things you take for granted. Anyway I met Ruthie at the front desk and got an appointment with my caseworker, Jessica Grace. This is my other guardian angel. She was the one I knew I had to open up with, so I did. I could tell she cared for real. She got me a TB Scan Card so I could get hot meals and some place to get clothes and a blanket.

The next day I landed a job. As time went on Jessica informed me of a housing program called transitional housing. So I said sign me up. I worked hard and kept receiving blessings. I got a brand new pair of work shoes and a sleeping bag. All this time, the elements outside were getting to me and my cat.

But when I did not know how much more I could take, I got the news of my approval for housing. I began to look for a place and was soon signing my lease. None of this would have happened had it not been for the DRC.  My first night was awesome. I noticed every little detail of my apartment.

This story has been unbelievable. I have been in my apartment since February 2009. I have faced some hurdles and the person who writes this today is not the same person who entered the DRC back in 2008. I used to believe that I was not beautiful, worth anything, useful, or worth being a person who deserves respect. But now I am a person who walks with her head high because I am all those things. I have found myself with all the help of the DRC and their staff.

P.S. I will never forget where I have come from either.

Client
Day Resource Center for the Homeless

Redemption: A Case Manager's Perspective

A story that I would like to share is about a single mother and her daughter. When I picked this client up on my housing assistance program, my client had lost her daughter to the grandparents due to her drug usage and mental state. Afterwards, my client entered treatment successfully and is now 3 years clean. After returning from treatment, I was able to get her into a one-bedroom apartment.  While in this apartment she worked on getting her daughter back from the grandparents.

Unfortunately, the grandparents had decided that they couldn't handle the granddaughter any longer and they placed her in a home for girls in Itasca, Texas. While the daughter was there my client worked on getting an attorney to get back full custody of her daughter. She worked diligently in showing the girls home as well as the attorney and I, that she could raise her daughter the right way this time. Furthermore, we went to court and the judge awarded her full custody. It was the best day of my life to see just how far and just how much my client did to get what she wanted most in life, and that was her daughter back.

After that ruling from the court, we then moved her into a two-bedroom apartment. My client and her daughter lived there for another year until just recently I assisted them in moving into a two-bedroom house off Hulen and within walking distance of Arlington Heights High School, where my client's daughter will attend next year. In addition, my client has the option from this family to buy this home if she would like to. During all this my client also graduated from a local beauty school and is now doing hair at an upscale salon here in Fort Worth. I have seen my client at her worse and now at her best.

I believe that if it wasn't for the compassion, understanding, and dedication of case workers, some people would fall through the cracks and just be lost in the system with no help and no way out.

Sue Mahoney,
Tarrant County Samaritan Housing (Samaritan House)