Stacey, recent Home Start Thrift Boutique Lead Associate, is living proof that our Maternity Housing Program (MHP) and its Thrift Boutique Social Enterprise are changing lives.
Finding Help
Exiting the foster system after 10 years, Stacey became homeless and pregnant, and thankfully found Home Start.
Her options were either get a job while pregnant, risking her pregnancy, or stay homeless until she had her son, which would ultimately put her son at risk of being placed in the foster system. Growing up in the foster system herself, this was never something she wanted her son to experience.
“It was really important that they were here to help me be a better mom,” she said. “I can’t imagine where I’d be without Home Start.”
Through our Maternity Housing Program, Stacey met with a child development specialist, once to twice a month, which has helped her son continue learning through his most important first few years of life. Stacey also has met with a peer counselor once a week which has positively shaped her health.
Gaining Confidence
Four years ago, Stacey also knew she needed to begin working to support herself and her son. She joined the team at our Thrift Boutique Social Enterprise. Initially, Stacey was quiet and shy and only felt comfortable working in the back donation room folding clothes. With gentle staff encouragement and guidance, she became an employee and continued taking on more responsibilities, graduating from sales associate to lead sales associate with a key holder position.
Emerging Independence
In the summer of 2020, Stacey successfully secured a full-time position at a local hardware store and regularly greets the customers as they enter the store. She is on a management track program and her colleagues share she is an amazing part of their team. Home Start has helped transform Stacey into a confident young woman who is able to support herself and her adorable 5 year-old son.
Your partnership will continue to help homeless youth like Stacey break free from the cycles of homelessness, abuse, poverty, and neglect.