Today we are excited to introduce you to an amazing youth in our housing programs. Marlene has been living in Home Start’s Housing Our Youth Program (HOY) for a little over a year.
On the way to her intake appointment in the Fall of 2023, Marlene shared that she was crying. Negative thoughts and judgement swirled in her head. She was telling herself things like "see you didn't work hard enough and that's why you're in this position" and "that's what you get for trusting them you're to blame." Shares Marlene, “I carried in a bag full of shame for myself that day.” Her Case Manager Michelle, however, immediately helped her feel welcome and simply began asking questions without judgement.
This brave young woman had faced numerous barriers over the years to get to that point.
Marlene is the daughter of incarcerated parents, so she grew up with her grandmother. Tragically, after being abused as a teenager by a cousin and confiding in her grandma, she was kicked out of the house after being blamed for what happened.
Marlene then moved in with her sisters to finish high school, but they unfortunately saw it as a burden. Then more hostility and sexual harassment came shortly after. She got married at 18 divorced at 20. That’s when her homeless experience began.
After a long three years on the streets, Marlene shares that she was blessed to come across Home Start and begin receiving the help she desperately needed.
Today, after working hard alongside her case manager to plan out her future and grow her confidence, Marlene is excited to soon be moving into her own apartment later this month. She plans to restart her home cleaning business and “become who I'm called to be in this lifetime.”
Marlene thanks Home Start staff for planting a seed of hope in her again and feels very blessed.
Your gift to Home Start’s Giving Tuesday 2024: $50K Match Campaign, now through December 3, 2024, will provide vital resources to local families needing a hand-up to recover from homelessness, hunger, abuse, unemployment, and other crises. And thanks to our generous partner, the David C. Copley Foundation, every gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000! That is how we unleash radical generosity!
Thank you.
*Giving levels are ideas of what your donation can do for a San Diego family in need