Four months ago, before beginning an internship at Star of Hope's Transitional Living Center, my perception of homelessness was of someone standing on a corner holding a sign made of cardboard which states, “Will work for food.” But oh, how my views have changed.
As I stood before a class filled with women who were ready to be a part of the group I was about to facilitate, I noticed that every face had a different story. I knew this because I did several of their intake interviews. Homelessness can happen to anyone, just as mental illness can. All it takes is a serious turn of events in one's life:
- a death in the family
- divorce
- escaping abusive homes
- lack of income due to unemployment
- a house fire or losing a home due to natural disaster
- substance abuse
- illness
My experience at Star of Hope has taught me that there truly is no single mold that homeless people fit into. They come here from different backgrounds and with different reasons for becoming homeless, but they all have one thing in common . . . and that is hope. The belief that tomorrow will be better, if we can bear a hardship today.
Star of Hope is not just about helping homeless people sustain employment and putting a roof over their heads. The Transitional Living Center restores self confidence, enhances self esteem, motivational skills, hopes and aspirations.
Brooke Ferguson
Star of Hope Intern
Transitional Living Center for Women & Families
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