A Single father and his 8-year-old twin daughters were homeless before finding The Kitchen, Inc.
A Single Father
The father is originally from Chicago and moved to Springfield when he was 20. He was living with his girlfriend before she started using drugs. Her drug use forced him to leave their house. When his daughters were 5 years old, their mother dropped them off at Isabel’s House. Isabel’s House contacted him and he was able to gain custody of the girls. He and the girls lived with his mother while he was enrolled in an automotive program at Ozarks Technical Community College.
He and the girls lost their housing when his mother passed away. Without a place to call home and childcare, he withdrew from school. The family of three slept in his truck, unless the girls were able to spend the night with a family member.
Finding The Kitchen, Inc.
Once connected with One Door, the family was referred to The Kitchen Inc.’s Community Housing program. Now, the family is stably housed in permanent housing. Along with a home, The Kitchen, Inc. provided home furnishings including mattresses, a washer and dryer, and household and cleaning supplies. The case manager was also able to connect the family to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). TANF is a cash benefit for children that can be used for clothes, utilities, or other services.
Childcare in a Pandemic
The father is actively job searching but has struggled at times to find babysitters for the girls. TANF can be used for childcare as well, which is a critical need for single parents—and an even greater need as children return to school in a hybrid or fully virtual model because of the pandemic.
His girls are happy and safe, and his time in the program has been “nothing but wonderful.” His vision for the future is to get a full time job in order to provide for his daughters and maintain his stable housing.
Your continued support of The Kitchen, Inc. means more families like this one can move into safe, affordable housing and receive services necessary to regain stability and independence.
Become a Monthly Donor
Housing is the key to ending homelessness in our community. Your support means more of our neighbors have a safe place to call home.
