A Decade of Determination: Amelia's Path to Stability
For ten years, Amelia's life has been a long journey of navigating homelessness, moving from place to place while striving for stability. Now 23, she reflects on a decade spent overcoming challenges with resilience, community support, and hope for a better future for herself and her children.
Her journey with housing insecurity began at the age of 13 when family circumstances forced her to find shelter wherever she could. She spent her teenage years couch surfing, often trading chores or odd jobs for a night’s stay. Amelia became adept at doing whatever was necessary to secure a roof over her head, whether it was cleaning, painting, or even helping with construction projects. However, the lack of stability made it difficult to maintain steady employment, especially without reliable transportation.
During this time, Amelia also faced the challenges of an unstable relationship, caring for a young son, and being pregnant with her second child. Driven by the desire to provide a safe, stable home for her children, Amelia obtained a Section 8 voucher, only to face the daunting challenge of finding an available rental. “I spent over a year looking up, down, left, and right for a place to live,” she recalls. Sadly, her search proved fruitless, and the voucher expired before she could use it.
Amelia was eventually referred to Tedford, where she connected with Anthony, the Supervisor of Program Services. Armed with a folder full of past applications and documentation, Amelia showed Anthony her determination to find a solution. Anthony identified a rapid-rehousing STEP voucher as a potential opportunity, and just over a week later, Amelia was granted the voucher.
A local landlord, working with Anthony, was eager to help someone in need and offered Amelia a two-bedroom apartment. This marked a significant turning point in her life. “I truly believe there are just some people who are supposed to walk into your life,” Amelia says, reflecting on Anthony and her current landlord’s support.
With her new home, Amelia is now focused on building a stable environment for herself and her sons. She’s started decorating the boys’ room; she’s begun imagining the memories they will make together in their new yard—from slip ‘n slides to winter sledding adventures. “I’m making gigantic steps for me and my kids,” she proudly states, as she envisions the future she is creating.
Throughout her journey, Amelia has been continually moved by the generosity of her community. She fondly recalls moments of unexpected kindness, like strangers paying for her groceries when she’s been a few dollars short, or being offered thick sweatshirts on chilly evenings. These acts of generosity have been a source of encouragement and strength during challenging times. “The moments of kindness are too frequent to count. That’s one thing I will say–we have a really caring community” she shares.
Amelia’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of community support. Her journey exemplifies Tedford Housing’s mission to help individuals move from homelessness to home, providing them with the tools and resources needed to build a brighter future.
