A CLOSER LOOK AT THE AT HOME
OPTIONS AND WHICH WORK BEST. >> A HAPPY TURN THIS HOLIDAY
SEASON FOR SINGLE MOTHER AND TWO
CHILDREN.
THE FAMILY BECAME HOMELESS AFTER
THE MOTHER ESCAPED A PHYSICALLY
ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP.
NEWS 4 SHARES THEIR STORY AND EXPLAINS HOW A LOCAL PROGRAM IS
HELPS FAMILIES IN NEED.
>> JUST A FEW DAYS AGO THIS
FAMILY WAS ONE OF THE MANY FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
FOR SAFETY REASONS.
WE WON’T SHOW THEIR FACES OR USE
THEIR NAMES.
MOM AND HER TWO KIDS, 6 AND 7.
WERE LIVING WITH HER BOYFRIEND.
WHEN HE BEGAN BEATING HER.
>> I WAS IN LIKE A ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP.
MY FRIEND HE BEAT ME HALF TO
DEATH.
HE TOOK ME TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STARTED BEATING ON ME.
>> FEARING FOR HER LIFE.
AND HER CHILDREN’S SAFETY.
SHE MADE THE DECISION SHE HAD TO
GET HERSELF AND HER KIDS AWAY
FROM THE ABUSER.
>> IT WAS BEST FOR ME AND MY
KIDS.
WHEN YOU HAVE A PERSON SAYING
THEY’LL SHOOT YOUR HOUSE UP AND YOU HAVE KIDS.
IT’S ONLY RIGHT TO PUT YOUR KIDS
FIRST.
>> WITH NO PLACE TO LIVE.
THEY ENDED UP IN A DISTRICT FAMILY SHELTER.
AND A FEW WEEKS LATER, GOT THE
KEYS TO THEIR VERY OWN
APARTMENT.
THROUGH THE DISTRICT HOME FOR
THE HOLIDAY PROGRAM.
WHICH PROVIDES PERMANENT HOUSING
FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
>> IT WAS GREAT.
THE KIDS WERE HAPPY.
I WAS HAPPY.
IT WAS A BLESSING THAT I PRAYED
AND I PRAYED. WHEN THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME
I COULDN’T DO NOTHING BUT CRY
AND PRAISE GOD.
>> THE KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL. AND MOM IT LOOKING FOR A JOB.
THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT IS
LOOKING FOR MORE LANDLORDS
WILLING TO RENT PROPERTIES TO
FAMILIES IN NEED. >> KIDS LIKE THESE CAN HAVE
PLACE TO CALL HOME.
>> WE’RE NOT IN DANGER. >> GOOD THINGS CAN WORK OUT.
>> AND OF COURSE WE WISH THAT
FAMILY THE VERY BEST. THE DISTRICT HOME FOR THE
HOLIDAY PROGRAM HAS A GOAL OF
PLACING 1,200 FAMILIES IN
PERMANENT HOUSING BY THE END OF
YEAR.
THEY ARE ASKING FOR FURNITURE OR