A stable home environment is critical to academic success for young people. When Emma and Liam's parents divorced, they were devastated. But having to move and change schools in the middle of the school year was even worse.

Emma & Liam's mom, Julia, knew the impact of the divorce was hard on the teens. Learning that their dad had a second wife in Guatemala was heart-breaking; then, because Julia's husband refused to leave their apartment, she was forced to find a new place to live. Since they had been evicted years earlier, finding a landlord willing to rent to them was a challenge. She and the kids were forced to move in with friends in Brandon, while still trying to keep Emma and Liam in school in Tampa. Because Julia was working two jobs, the kids were frequently late for school.

Thankfully, Julia was referred to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. Emma and Liam received trauma counseling through Corbett Trauma Center to help them cope with all the chaos in their lives. Julia was placed in the Crisis Center's Building Strong Families program, a long-term financial case management program that promotes stable and constant schooling, prevents homelessness, and empowers families with tools to gain financial stability.

Lynnette, their Building Strong Families Case Manager, worked with Emma and Liam's school to allow the kids to arrive a little late for school while the family worked to improve their situation.

Then, Lynnette helped Julia find a safe apartment in the Tampa school zone that she could afford. Julia was also able to find a better paying job that was close to her new apartment and the school.

Your support of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay allows hard-working, single moms like Julia to find the resources they need to keep their kids in school so they can maintain a quality education. Thank you to the donors, businesses, and community partners who support the Crisis Center's work to provide help, hope, and healing to people in crisis.