Angelique is a grandmother who finds it “a true blessing” to take care of her family: her four grandchildren, son, and another adult family member with special needs. Love flourishes in their multi-generational household. The family spends time together cooking and sharing meals, playing games, exercising, helping her grandchildren with their homework, and attending their sporting events.

Three years ago, Angelique and her family faced unexpected circumstances. The family lost their home to a fire and subsequent water damage. Near this time, Angelique lost a beloved family member, and shortly after that, her steady employment at a freight and logistics company. This series of losses and the challenges that followed tested her incredible resourcefulness and resolve.

Angelique began navigating through unfamiliar systems to meet the basic needs of her family:

“There are cracks in the system, loopholes in helping people. There is less assistance in historically Black, Latino, and American Indian communities. One size does not fit all,” she says.

“With the fire, I thought the insurance company would pay for all the damage and our temporary housing. Before the fire, I had someone provide childcare to my children in our home while I was at work. I thought I could easily secure daycare outside of my home without any barriers, so I could return to work. It didn’t work out that way.”

With her home still uninhabitable and without the resources to pay for temporary housing, Angelique decided to move her family into temporary shelter. Securing a place in a family shelter was made even more challenging because Angelique did not have legal custody of all the children in her care. She eventually connected with Mary’s Place, a shelter program that removed some of the barriers.

The family stayed at the shelter for several months while Angelique tirelessly pursued housing and resources. She felt a huge sense of relief when a social worker helped her connect with the Stable Homes, Stable Schools program. She began the arduous task of finding safe and affordable housing. After visiting many properties that did not meet a habitable standard, she finally found an apartment and signed the lease.

Angelique knew the critical next step was figuring out how to furnish her home. She worked alongside a social worker to secure a referral to Bridging.  After such a long journey to housing stability, she was relieved to experience dignity and person-centered service at Bridging.

“Initially, I didn’t know what to expect. Since I have been through so much, I had low expectations. Bridging is beyond what I expected. They’re not a one-size-fits-all all.”

“When I came to Bridging, I felt respected and treated as a person.  They called me by my name. I had someone to guide me. They give me choices and asked me questions about my space and style.”

“The warehouse was huge. The fact that people donate this much — that matters. Bridging provides everything – things you need beyond the furniture, like towels, washcloths, dishes, can openers – every little thing you could think of and then some. I was amazed that Bridging even had pictures to hang on the walls. They make my house homey. I love it. Our whole apartment is furnished.  It’s almost like I went shopping myself.  We were able to get everything. To get everything I have, it would have taken me a year, and I got it in a day.”

“It’s indescribable – going from a hopeless feeling to having everything we need in our home.”

Angelique says that she is taking it day by day. She’s gone through so much.

She is taking a computer class. She is looking for a job and hopes to secure her commercial driver’s license and real estate license. She plans to volunteer at Bridging and makes it a point to donate items to Bridging when she can.

“If it wasn’t for Bridging, I wouldn’t be able to furnish my entire home, even a year later,” she says. “I count every penny I need to make it and take care of my family. If you’re not in this position, you’re not going to think about that.”

Angelique’s hopeful outlook guides her grandchildren and inspires everyone in her midst:

“Sometimes it’s one step forward and two steps back. Some have it worse than me. We have a choice every day to be thankful, to wake up and do something better. I’m grateful.”

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