When Lisa’s mother passed away unexpectedly, her world turned upside down. Not only was she grieving the loss of her biggest support system, but she also lost the home they had shared. With nowhere to go, Lisa and her three children, 16-year-old Ava, 18-year-old Jordan, and 8-year-old Noah, found themselves without a stable place to live. To make matters even more challenging, both Ava and Jordan were young mothers themselves, navigating the overwhelming journey of parenthood for the first time.
The family was separated, staying with friends when possible. Lisa’s heart broke knowing that what was supposed to be a time of new beginnings for her daughters was instead filled with instability and uncertainty. That’s when she found hope through The Kitchen, Inc.’s Emergency Shelter Program.
With a safe place to stay and the support of case managers, Lisa was able to focus on what mattered most; being a mother and helping her daughters as they adjusted to their new roles. Slowly, they began rebuilding their lives, securing childcare, seeking employment, and working toward permanent housing. Most importantly, for the first time in months, they were all living under the same roof again.
When asked what it meant to be together as a family once more, Lisa’s face lit up. “It means everything,” she said. “We’ve been through so much, but we’re moving forward.”
Now, with the organization’s plans to expand the shelter, Lisa knows that more families like hers will have the chance to find stability. “It’s amazing that you’ll be able to help even more people,” she shared.
