Note: Mary is not her real name. We changed it for her protection.

When Mary first reached out to Metro United Way she was living in a hotel with her four children (ages 10–16).  She had just escaped an abusive husband and, as a result, lost her home, her job, and her means of transportation.

Her husband’s behavior had caused her to lose her last few jobs, friends, and even some of her family. She considered moving out of state to be closer to her brother, but her children were thriving in their schools, especially her youngest son who is autistic, and she didn’t want to uproot them mid-school year.

Through a partnership with the Siemer Institute for Family Stability, that works to prevent family homelessness and reduce school mobility, we supported her with securing affordable housing and assisted with the moving process. After the family felt safe in its new home, Mary was anxious to find work. We worked with her on developing her résumé and enabled her to get new clothes for her interviews.

The assistance Mary and her family received through the Siemer Institute brought stability to the family in the following ways:

• The children were able to remain in the schools they loved.
• The family moved to safe and affordable housing.
• Mary began working full time.
• The family was able to meet its basic needs in terms of food, clothing, and household necessities.
• The family set savings goals that are now allowing them to save for a car.
• Mary and her children are now ensured physical safety.

The recovery process has been a long journey, but with continued support from our program, Mary feels optimistic about her future for the first time. With your donation, you can help other families just like them. Please donate today.