After losing her job and housing, a mother and her young son found themselves homeless — until the 100 Families Initiative stepped in with coordinated support and family a fresh start. “For the first time in a long time, I felt hope again,” she shared.
A Mother Who Refused to Give Up — and a Community Who Walked Beside Her
A 100 Families Success Story
In February, a mother and her young son arrived in Michigan hoping for a fresh start. With no local support system and limited resources, they stayed briefly with relatives. But by July 31st, they were asked to leave — and their journey into homelessness began.
The mother had lost her job in August, and without income, rent, or a safety net, she struggled to keep her family afloat. Her son’s $560 monthly SSI became their only steady support. She was encouraged to apply for food stamps and cash assistance, but the weight of instability made every step feel overwhelming.
“When we left my relatives’ home, I felt like the world had closed in on me,” she later shared. “I didn’t know where to go or what to do — I just knew I had to keep fighting for my son.”
In time, the family was placed at Holy Cross Shelter, where they finally had a temporary place to rest. But the shelter was only a stopgap — what they truly needed was stability, opportunity, and someone to walk with them, not just provide a bed.
That changed when the 100 Families Initiative stepped in.
Through her assessment, several needs immediately emerged:
- Safe, stable housing
- Employment and financial stability
- Primary medical care
- Legal support for a long-past felony conviction she hoped to expunge
Even in crisis, this mother showed remarkable determination. She asked questions, followed through on recommendations, and made it clear that she was ready to rebuild her life — she just needed the right support around her.
And that is exactly what happened.
“For the first time in months, I felt hope again.”
Community partners surrounded this family with coordinated care. Advocates helped her navigate employment opportunities, medical needs, and legal pathways. Agencies collaborated to remove barriers that had once felt impossible to overcome.
Then, on November 14th, a breakthrough:
She and her son moved from the shelter into permanent housing.
It was more than a key in her hand — it was the beginning of a new chapter.
Shortly after securing housing, she obtained full-time employment, giving her the stability she had prayed for. With a home and a job, she began caring for her son with renewed confidence and dignity.
To help them settle into their new space, the family requested essential household items. Thanks to our partnership with GAPS, many of these items will be picked up from Shelly — practical support that transforms an empty space into a warm, welcoming home.
“People believed in me before I believed in myself.”
Her journey is far from over, but today she stands stronger, more hopeful, and surrounded by a network that refuses to let her walk alone.
She is working full-time.
She is rebuilding her life.
She is providing stability for her son.
And she is doing it with courage, determination, and a community that believes in her.
This story is a reminder of what is possible when we come together — when agencies collaborate, when advocates listen, and when families are met with compassion instead of judgment.
This is unity.
This is hope.
This is why we do this work.
