Story of Impact: Angela
Angela and her two children – a 3-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl – were living with Angela’s father when the house caught fire. The smoke damage made the house unsafe for their return.
For a time, they were sleeping on the floors of friends and family not knowing where they’d be the next day. While staying in a local family shelter, there was the stress of having to get the kids up and out each morning and not being able to return until the evening.
Angela got depressed. She says being homeless also took a serious toll on her kids, especially on her teenaged daughter. She was worn out physically and emotionally.
Finally, Angela was referred to Families Together (FT). As their time ran out in the shelter, FT’s Housing Navigator Karen Lassiter secured a two-week extension based on the assurance that Families Together would house the family before the period ended.
Karen got to work but Angela got sick and had to go into the hospital. She was discharged the day Karen helped her secure a lease and the family moved directly into permanent housing that day!
It was January 1st – the start of a new year and a new life for her family.
She says the special surprises from Families Together continued after they moved into their home. FT made sure her children had clothes, received gifts for the holidays and had gently used furnishings for the apartment.
But the biggest surprises were yet to come and have had the most enduring impact on their lives.
Angela started attending the Families Together workshops. She got to know FT Financial Health Advocate Harriett Reynolds. Angela learned about credit scores, budgeting, and how to advocate for herself.
She took it to heart when Harriett said, “Always remember, your money matters. Pay your rent first!” Angela still hears her voice when it’s time to pay rent or pay bills.
The next big surprise came when her daughter got sponsored by FT for an engineering summer camp at NC State University. Being on a college campus made a big impact.
Angela says before that experience, her daughter didn’t know where she stood in life or what her future would be. The summer camps gave her new direction. Like her mom in the workshops, she connected with her peers. They supported and inspired one another.
Angela’s daughter wanted to apply for college. She and her mom consulted Harriett who encouraged her to enroll in a Wake Tech engineering program to save money. And that’s where she is now. Next year, she’ll transfer her credits to NC State and continue working for her dream – a degree in chemical engineering.
At the same time, Angela has been working on big goals of her own.
She has kept a stable roof over her kids’ heads for four years with no problems. She pays her rent and her bills on time.
She still has the workshop materials Harriett gave her. She says the book “Who Moved My Cheese?” is like the Holy Grail to her. Since working with Harriett, Angela has paid her student loans and her hospital bills. And in the process, she has increased her credit score from 450 to 750!
Last week, Angela called Harriett to say she had turned in her old broken-down car and bought a 2015 Ford Flex.
But that wasn’t the main reason she called. Angela and her daughter want to give back to the community that has done so much for them. They plan to volunteer for Families Together to make sure families experiencing homelessness get Thanksgiving meals and holiday gifts.
Finally, Angela wants you to know she and her kids are doing so well. Her daughter has big plans for the future and is determined to succeed.
Her son is now in first grade. He is superb in school and very good in math -- just like his big sister.
Angela says the good things put in her family’s path came from Families Together and she extends her deep gratitude to all who made it possible for her and her kids to flourish.