Darrin’s Story Of HOPE
After my wife left me and my nine-year-old twin boys, I was referred to HOPE South Florida’s Faith In Action program. Although I was employed, my hours varied greatly and my wife had taken all of my savings. Left with an empty bank account and unable to pay rent, my children and I were evicted.
As a single parent, homeless, and unable to afford any after school childcare, I was forced to reduce my already scarce work hours in order to transport my sons to and from school. When I reached the doors of Faith In Action, I found HOPE!
After staying a few nights at a church, I was immediately referred to the Hollywood HOME Program. Through the program I received the financial assistance we needed to move into my own apartment with my boys.
Within just one week, my boys and I found an apartment in Hollywood that met the program’s requirements. In just two more weeks, we were ready to move into our new home, where we put up a Christmas tree and decorated to celebrate the holidays together as a family. What is normally a transition that takes many families over 2 months to complete, thanks to HOPE South Florida’s church network and community collaboration, our transition from homeless to stable housing only took 3 short weeks!
While moving into our new apartment, my boys and I were also referred to HOPE South Florida’s REACH (Recovery & Employment Aftercare Case Management for the Homeless) program. Through REACH, my sons were enrolled in a school near their new apartment and received uniforms free of cost. The boys were also thrilled to be enrolled into the Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood for their after school program.
With all these services in place and working together, I was able to work more hours to ensure a more stable financial situation for my family. In an effort to find more stable employment, I registered with the Professional Placement Network through WorkForce One and have begun a CISCO Certification Program with Sheridan Vocational School to further advance my future career opportunities. All related school fees, other than books and supplies, were fully waived as a result of my participation in the REACH program.
I cannot thank the staff and programs of HOPE South Florida enough. My life was changed and my boys and I now know what having HOPE looks like.
Posted by: Darrin
July 14, 2012
