A Place to Call Home
The Robinson family was forced to live in a hotel after their landlord abruptly sold their rental home. With husband and father, Kenneth, having been laid off not long before this, their hotel funds quickly ran out. The Robinsons contacted The Salvation Army’s Saint Joseph Corps, who immediately took them into their shelter.
The Robinsons were given a two-bedroom mini apartment in the shelter, already furnished, and stocked with supplies like bedding, Tupperware, and dishes that they were allowed to keep after they left. Wife and mother, Amanda, was grateful for her family to have a place they felt at home. They stayed in the shelter for three months before they were able to find their own place. However, giving them lodging at the shelter was just the beginning of The Salvation Army’s help.
Since their previous landlord wrongfully left them with an eviction on their record, other landlords were reluctant to rent to the Robinsons. However, The Salvation Army refused to give up.
“They fought for us,” said Amanda. “They would put in just as much work as we put. It’s really amazing to see that these people actually care.”
The Saint Joseph Corps’ staff contacted property after property until they found a wonderful landlord who told the Robinsons he believed in second chances. The Salvation Army was able to donate furniture to their new house as a moving-in present.
Currently, the Robinsons have one year remaining in the Pathway of Hope program. The Salvation Army has lent a hand anywhere they possibly can.
“We get bus passes, we get food vouchers, we get resources for clothing… school supplies, Christmas adoption… everything that will help take stress off of a mama and the kids, they’re there for us,” said Amanda.
Amanda hopes the family can be “1000%” on their own by the time their final year in the program is completed. Kenneth has found employment as a chef, and Amanda works in housekeeping at a nursing home, hoping to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the near future. The kids are loving their new home and having their own rooms while attending school and regular activities The Salvation Army hosts.
“We don’t ever want to go backwards,” said Amanda. “We appreciate The Salvation Army, we love them… We just want to show them that we’ve got this. We plan to continue working hard and hopefully one day we’ll be able to help a family. That is one of our goals that we talked about.”