Carol and her teenage daughter arrived at Cross Roads House two days before Christmas. "We were homeless and bouncing around. At first I was a little scared because it was December 23rd and we were in a hotel. I thought maybe we'd [be staying] in the hotel throughout Christmas." Despite their arrival so close to the holiday, Carol was delighted to find that donors were still able to provide her and her daughter with a very special Christmas.

Throughout her eight month stay at Cross Roads House, Carol struggled with health issues. In January, Jasper, a member of the CRH direct care staff, found Carol nearly unresponsive with a fever of 104.8 and called for an ambulance. "I literally almost died in January." Carol says, "I probably wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for Jasper. I had surgery a couple of months ago. I am feeling better. I'm still healing from my surgery. I was told that it's going to take a couple of months. But I am feeling 80% better."

With the help of her Case Manager, Kelly, Carol began the difficult process of finding affordable housing. Before she could apply for housing though, she needed to get identification, which can sometimes be very challenging. Carol needed an original copy of her birth certificate to get her social security card and non-driver ID, but could not get her birth certificate by mail without picture identification. "In October someone stole my wallet and it had my social security card, my ID, everything in it. I had to go to New Jersey to get my birth certificate. Case managers and front desk staff collaborated to find inexpensive travel, hotel arrangements, etc. Once I got the birth certificate, I was able to go get my social security card, once I got that, I was able to go get the picture ID."

Carol recently found out that she was accepted into a transitional housing program. "I felt hopeless and down and out when we got here, but through everybody here, I feel so much better. I never thought this day was going to come."

Carol credits much of her success to the support she received from the Cross Roads House staff and her case manager. "Kelly has been phenomenal. When I was sick she helped us out. I was able to just stop in if I was having a hard day and she was just so good to me. She was very encouraging. She's been a constant presence in our life. She's been a support with my daughter. I know she's staff, but she's kind of like a friend." 

 

Last month, Carol and her daughter moved into their new apartment. "I don't think we would be getting into our own place if it wasn't for the help of Kelly, and the support of the staff. I honestly believe that this place saved our lives. It's more than just a shelter. You become kind of like a family."