Stories - The Kitchen

25 Oct 2023

Kierra’s Story: Young mother finds stability at Rare Breed Youth Services

Kierra was 16 when she started coming to Rare Breed Youth Services. Now, the 22-year-old mother reflects on what it was like being a homeless teenager in Springfield. Kierra says when you are homeless, you have to be constantly on the move. Finding a safe place to sleep at night and making sure your things don’t get stolen is a priority. Rare Breed was the main place she could spend her time. At first, Kierra needed all the resources offered. Rare Breed was a safe place Kierra could shower, change clothes, do laundry, and get a meal. It was also…

10 Oct 2023

Senior Homelessness on the Rise

In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in seniors ages 55+ experiencing homelessness—many for the first time. Homeless seniors face a unique set of challenges that can lead to homelessness: Limited Fixed Incomes: many seniors rely on fixed income like social security which doesn’t keep pace with rising housing costs. Without affordable housing, many are burdened by rent. Health Challenges: chronic health issues and disabilities can lead to increased medical expenses and reduced capacity to work, leading many to homelessness. Loneliness and Isolation: as spouses, family, and friends pass away or move away, seniors find themselves isolated and without a safety net…

14 Aug 2023

Katelin’s Story: Affordable Housing Reunites Family After Being Homeless

Katelin (28) is a single mom with three children and a younger brother she cares for. She struggled with homelessness for many years before she found The Kitchen. Katelin recalls times when all five of them stayed in a single cramped hotel room. When things were really bad, her children went to live with their father. “I lost my kids...and I lost myself for a long time. I just now started recovering,” says Katelin. Finding Shelter Not being able to live with her children was hard, and she worked harder to get back on her feet. Katelin was referred to…

11 Nov 2022

Peter’s Story: 90-Year-Old Homeless Veteran Finds Hope at The Kitchen

This Veterans Day, we are sharing the story of a Veteran helped by our Home At Last program. Peter is a 90-year-old Korean War Veteran. He became homeless earlier this year when he was forced to move from the New Mexico apartment he’d lived in for 17 years. Peter Isn't What You'd Picture Peter isn't what you’d picture a homeless person to be. He served in the Navy from 1951 until the end of the Korean War in 1953. After the war, he got a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University where he played tennis. After graduation, he enlisted again, this…

27 Oct 2022

Sheila’s Story – Finding Hope in The Kitchen’s Homeless Shelter

Sheila is a mother and wife in her mid-fifties. She has extensive health issues that put her in the hospital frequently including congestive heart failure, COPD, kidney disease, severe bipolar disorder, and PTSD. When Sheila’s husband went to prison in summer 2021, she became the sole provider for their daughter (11) and son (10). Sheila struggled to balance her health, her housing, and taking care of her children. The family was evicted from their home in March. Fortunately, Sheila’s children have been able to stay with their grandfather. Sheila found shelter at Safe to Sleep, a local homeless shelter for…

02 Jun 2022

Sabrina’s Story – Rare Breed Youth Services

Sabrina was struggling with addiction and experiencing suicidal thoughts when she entered Mercy’s Marian Center for in-patient treatment at 19 years old. When she exited the treatment program, she was hesitant to return to her mother’s house. They had a rocky relationship made worse by her mental health struggles and addiction. That is how Sabrina found herself homeless in April 2019. A few days later, she connected with Rare Breed Youth Services, a program that provides immediate access to basic needs and rapid access to community services for youth ages 13-24. Sabrina found food, clothing, and showers at Rare Breed.…

Category: Stories