Family HomeStead protects each client family’s privacy to the fullest. So when a parent decides to share their personal story in order to benefit the families that follow, we are grateful. Stories will be added to this section as they become available. Click each headline for complete text.

Priscilla’s Story
Shortly after they were married, Priscilla and her husband came to the United States as refugees to escape their violent war-torn country. After a few years of marriage, Priscilla’s own household became a war zone as her husband became increasingly abusive, both verbally and physically. A few months after their second child was born, Priscilla took her children and fled to a safehouse, only to return home a few weeks later because her daughter missed her dad. The violence subsided for awhile but then re-emerged.

Struggling on Foreign Soil
Anisa arrived at the Family HomeStead office with 3 kids and 5 suitcases. The kids, all boys, ranging in age from 6-18, sat quietly in the lobby while their mother met with a case manager. The kids did not speak a word of English, but their mother spoke very well, in fact, she spoke 8 languages. Anisa and the kids were recent arrivals to the United States from their ravaged country in Africa.

A Cautionary Tale for Those Living the American Dream
Frank Holloway thought he was living “the American Dream.” He and his wife, Debra, both had good jobs as apprentice plumbers, each making $30-$40 thousand a year. They bought a new house in a nice neighborhood where their four children could play safely and go to good schools. And, then, as happens with many dreamers, the nightmare began. Massive layoffs caused both Frank and his wife to lose their jobs. They struggled unsuccessfully to find work. Then their dream house went into foreclosure.

Thomas Abbott’s Story
Thomas Abbott had never been homeless before when he came to Family HomeStead in the summer of 2002. He had been scrambling, working two part-time seasonal jobs, but he could still not produce the $750 he needed for rent each month. Even though he had had full custody of his three sons for over two years, child support was still being garnished from his paychecks, making it hard to make ends meet. The family was evicted from their rental and was staying with different friends and relatives.

The Carsons’ Story
The Carson family came into emergency housing after being evicted from their rental when Ellen lost her job. Even with a steady income, it was difficult to provide adequate housing for herself and her five children, ages 4-13. Ellen had never been homeless before and it had clearly taken a toll on her. She and her children had been staying in shelters, with family and in motels through agency motel vouchers. The children’s school attendance was spotty because they were moving around from day to day.