Our House was thrilled to honor Rosetta Dunlap and all of the families that Our House serves, at this year’s Home for the Holidays, as you will see in the video above!
Rosetta Dunlap is no stranger to adversity. Growing up with a loving mother in a single parent household in Chicago, Rosetta learned early on the struggles that life can bring. From experiencing violence in her childhood to losing her family during her formative years, Rosetta has had the odds stacked against her. After the heartbreaking loss of her mother and brother to illness and violence, Rosetta experienced bouts of depression, alcoholism, and homelessness that contributed to the end of two different marriages.
After suffering ten miscarriages throughout her life, motherhood did not seem to be in the cards for Rosetta. She was forty one when she found out she was pregnant once again, but she did not get her hopes up that this pregnancy would be successful. Despite this concern, Rosetta’s pregnancy continued, and when she learned she was pregnant with a son, she made the decision to come to Arkansas to get away from an abusive relationship and start fresh. Rosetta stayed with friends, in motels, and at other shelters before entering the Housing programs at Our House where she was finally able to find the stability of a warm bed and nutritious meals as she focused on bringing her child into the world.
Through all of her challenges, Rosetta remained committed to her education and her desire to enter the healthcare profession. She diligently worked two jobs in the care-giving field while living in Our House’s Shelter—all while in her third precarious trimester. After three months at Our House, Rosetta saved up enough money to move into her own townhouse, shortly before giving birth to a healthy son, Torrod! Today, Rosetta remains involved in Our House’s homeless prevention program, CAFSI, and with the help of her case manager, Rosetta has worked hard to maintain permanent housing, make plans to return to work as a CNA after giving birth, and continue to grow her parenting skills.
There has never been a barrier that Rosetta let stand in her way, and facing homelessness was no different. While Our House provided her with the essential support she needed to begin her life with Torrod on strong foundations—from mental health services to money management—Rosetta’s own determination has always shined through. Now, Rosetta feels confident that she’s created the peaceful life for her son that her own mother strived to create for her.
