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First of all I would like to thank God for
allowing Homes of Hope to start a nonprofit organization that would help
families in a time of need. I am a
single parent of two daughters that was blessed tremendously by the
organization.When I applied for
assistance I had just lost my home in Mecklenburg County and had moved back
home to Albemarle with one of my sisters.I found work after being here for 2 weeks which was a blessing but who
would have known about the trials and tribulations I was about to
encounter.I started working and got my
own place and things were going good until my hours at work were cut. Then I had to move into a smaller home where
the rent was cheaper and shortly after I moved I lost my job but was blessed
with another one in less than a week.A
few weeks passed then a tragedy happened, my oldest daughter’s brother and two
more of her classmates were killed in a car accident.It was supposed to be their senior year in
high school together and all of their hopes and dreams of being together were
gone.This caused a lot of stress on her
and she began to have heart problems.The doctor put her on bed rest and took me out of work to monitor her on
her meds until they found the best meds for her heart condition. This was about a two week process that lead
up to my losing my job.Human Resources
called me and explained to me that since I hadn’t been employed 90 days they
had the right to let me go without notice because I was on a 90 probation
period and I could reapply in 90 days.I
cried and prayed for days not knowing what I was going to do.The Department of Social Services and the
Christian Ministries helped pay what bills they could until I had used up all
the funding that was available for me in a year’s time frame.I got an eviction letter in the mail one day
and a letter from Homes of Hope the next day.I called and spoke to Salem and she scheduled for me to meet with the
board over the program. I went to the
meeting and they told me what the program had to offer me and let me know what
was expected of me and when I could move in.I moved into a duplex, on Depot Street and everyone was so helpful and
did everything to make my girls and me feel like we were home.Salem did everything she could to help me
find work such as making a resume, giving me job postings, etc.As time went on there was a 4 week old baby boy
that was placed in my life because his mom wasn’t able to care for him.I’m thinking to myself Lord how can I care
for this child and I’m not capable of caring for me and my girls.I knew I couldn’t have anyone come live with
me so I’m thinking what I can do now.Not knowing what to expect I called Salem and told her about this 4 week
old baby and asked her what should I do?To my surprise she said keep him and asked what I needed for him.I said clothes, milk and pampers. The next day she brought all the items I
asked for, a crib, toys, and more.A few
days passed and she stopped by to check and make sure we were ok and she
noticed his car seat in my car and asked if that’s all I had for him to ride in
because it did not look safe.I replied
yes and she said she would check to see if there was one donated to the program
that she could give me.After she left
she called back and said she didn’t have to check the storage because a friend
of hers was going to buy him a new one and they would be there shortly to drop
it off. Once they came through the doors
I just cried and thanked them for helping me and my girls and extending their
hearts to help me with a child that is not even mine.Time went on and my oldest daughter graduated
from high school and we had planned for her to go on to college but without me
working I didn’t know how that was going to be possible.We trusted God and stepped out on faith that
everything would work out.She received
her letter of acceptance from the college of her choice and I had a family
member that helped us with her FASA so everything was going good until I got
the letter stating things she would need to take with her such as bedding,
toiletries, etc.Once again, Homes of
Hope stepped in and supplied her with more than enough of the items she needed,
so off to college she went.During
Christmas, the staff came around and the program brought gifts for the girls,
the baby and for me. I’ve never felt so
much sincere love from strangers and it really assured me that God had never
left nor forsaken me.My time in the
program was coming to an end and I still had not found work nor did I know
where I was going.I talked to Skeet and
Salem and they said they would not put me out but that we had to come up with
something.A few days later I got a call
from a job in Charlotte and went on an interview and received the job.I then received a letter from the Department
of Public Housing saying I had been put on a waiting list for an apartment.Salem called and spoke to someone explaining
my situation and I was given an apartment in a matter of weeks. I moved into my apartment and haven’t did
anything but prosper since then.My baby
girl graduated from high school and is now a sophomore in college pursuing a
degree in social work and my oldest daughter graduated from college in May 2013
with a degree in Chemistry and she plans to return in the fall to pursue a
degree in medicine.So to me Homes of
Hope is a little piece of heaven, full of angels of mercy spreading Gods love,
grace, and mercy!Whomever God had given
this vision to I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have blessed my family in so many
different ways and every chance I get I try to give back to the program what
you guys gave to my family.I have
noticed the program has grown in so many different ways for the better and I
pray you continue to receive donations from the community to keep the programs
going so you may be a blessing to more families.
Thanking you for all you have done…
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