When 35-year-old Amelia and her 13-year-old daughter, Grace, arrived at FamilyAid, they were in dire straits. Amelia had escaped an abusive situation and was doing everything she could to protect Grace, but the two had nowhere to go. They were sleeping on a friend’s couch while Amelia searched for a permanent solution and worried about what would happen next.
Amelia applied for emergency shelter but was denied because of income eligibility requirements. With her friend preparing to move, she feared she would have to return to an unsafe environment just to keep a roof over Grace’s head.
That changed when Amelia was connected with a homelessness liaison from Boston Public Schools and referred to the Annex, our privately funded shelter that supports families fleeing domestic violence. There, she met Erika, her FamilyAid case manager, who helped Amelia and Grace move out of crisis and start building toward a better future for both of them. It was the first time in months that Amelia had been able to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Grace was safe.
While at the Annex, Amelia worked closely with Erika to search for permanent housing. Together, they completed more than 20 affordable housing applications and attended apartment showings, even when the process felt overwhelming. Other members of the FamilyAid team helped the family access food assistance benefits so Amelia could meet their basic needs while continuing to work toward stability.
Grace also received support through our Children’s Dream Fund, which helps children experiencing homelessness access items and experiences that bring comfort, joy and opportunity. Through the Fund, Grace received a laptop so she could stay engaged in school and continue learning.
The challenges persisted for the family when Amelia lost her job due to companywide layoffs, but she remained determined to keep moving forward. She connected with Emily, FamilyAid’s Career & Education Navigator, who helped her with her job search and supported her as she secured new full-time employment. Around the same time, Erika told Amelia and Grace the life-changing news they’d been hoping for: they had been approved for an affordable apartment of their own.
Today, Amelia and Grace are settled in a two-bedroom apartment where they finally feel safe, stable and hopeful about the future. Amelia is working full-time, Grace has the tools she needs for school and their family has a place to call home. Their story shows what is possible when a mother’s determination is met with the right support at the right time.
