My name is Maria, and I am homeless.

In October, Maria walked over two miles with her three children in a stroller to get to find help.  She had a car, but no money for gas and the tank had been on empty for three weeks.  She had been trying to find a job for months, but had limited skills and no prospects. 

This was Maria’s story when she walked through HOPE’s doors in October. After dealing with Maria’s most immediate crises (gas for her car, food for her cupboards and diapers for her two youngest children), JoAnn from HOPE’s Supportive Housing Services program worked with Maria on increasing her skills so she would be more employable. JoAnn accompanied Maria to Social Services where she met with a case worker and was able to sign up for health insurance and food stamps. JoAnn also helped Maria apply for subsidized housing. Thanks to JoAnn and HOPE’s Housing Support Services Program, Maria now has her own apartment within walking distance of her new job in downtown Red Wing. Her children are healthy and happy, and for the first time since before she met Travis, Maria has the self-confidence to know that she can make it on her own.

“My boyfriend, Travis, and I have been dating since high school.  We have three kids: Jason, 3; Aubrey, 2; and Mariah, 6 month.  When I became pregnant with Jason, my boyfriend started to become verbally and physically abusive.  It took me three years to get the courage to leave him, but not until he was arrested and we lost our apartment from too many noise complaints.  Our neighbors could hear me screaming and begging for him to stop hurting me.  I guess they thought they were helping by calling the police.  He is still in jail.  He has a roof over his head and food to eat, but we are homeless and hungry.  We are doubled up with family while I look for a job.  I have turned in over 65 job applications and haven’t received one interview.  I am beginning to lose hope."