Sarah and Evan

After having to take off time to have baby Evan, Sarah’s financial circumstances became dire and without the support of family or the baby’s father, she was unable to remain in her own housing. She and Evan had been living with friends, acquaintances, and really anyone who had space. After they spent more than 6 nights in her car, she came to Housing Forward’s PADS Shelter.
She was thankful for a safe place to stay, but knew that it wasn’t best for her baby. The PADS Shelter in-reach staff helped her to stay hopeful and connected her to the daytime Support Center and a case manager to help her formulate a plan to get back on her feet. 
 
Sarah received support through our Rapid Re-Housing program which includes short-term rental assistance, housing search services, case management paired with our employment readiness program - help that many families receive to be diverted from entering or returning to the shelter.
 
Six months later, Sarah now has a part-time job, daycare for Evan, and is able to take over the lease for her apartment. Despite the challenges she has faced, Sarah now has a new plan. She is determined to go back to school to become a social worker. She explains, “I had a really rough childhood. Just going through everything I have, I feel like I'll be a good person to work with young moms and children. I feel like I have a story to help the next person.”