Andie and her family were forced out of their apartment when it became uninhabitable after months of unfixed plumbing issues. Not able to afford another place, Andie’s family moved between family member’s homes, hotels, and friend’s homes for months until coming to Our House in early 2024. This time of transition made it very difficult for Andie to keep a job, and she struggled getting her three children enrolled in new schools each time they moved. Since moving into our Family Housing program, Andie and her children have comfortably settled into their family-style studio apartment, which also has shared dining and common areas with other residents. Andie’s children all got enrolled at a nearby elementary school, and their bus route picks up and drops off directly at Our House. After school, her kids attend our out-of-school program, Our Club where they receive homework help, exercise, and meals and have developed strong relationships with their teachers. The Our Club team is able to coordinate with student’s day school teachers to formulate a comprehensive plan of care and grade improvement.
Andie quickly got enrolled in our 9-month job training program, where she has worked at the Our House Resale Store and on campus as a housekeeper, developing the skills necessary for a future career in hotel housekeeping! In the Career Center, Andie has worked on her computer skills and acquired identification documents for her children. Andie’s children have greatly benefited from working with our Children’s Therapists; Andie can already see the progress in their communication skills and emotional regulation, and parenting classes have helped Andie learn new skills to support her children. Andie also utilizes mental health services like mindfulness and meditation classes, and she has finally been able to process the stress and worry she experienced while being homeless.
Andie’s kids are the reason the she works hard every day to set her family on a path of success. Andie plans on living at Our House as long as possible to save up for a future place. “This really is a place for new beginnings,” Andie says. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go, so this program has been a blessing.”