Denise* donates clothing her two sons have outgrown to the Family Service Center, an emergency shelter for women and families. This simple act of giving back means so much because not very long ago, Denise stayed at the shelter while trying to create stability for her family.

Denise had spent her time at Family Service Center searching for affordable housing and employment while her sons continued to attend school. By the end of the 30-day stay, she had found a part-time retail job and apartment. Denise accepted the support of the voluntary program, Moving Forward, to ensure she did not end up back in shelter.

The Moving Forward program at Family Service Center offers follow-up services for single women and families moving out of shelter to assist in family stabilization and housing retention. The services are tailored to connect each family with the services they need most. No matter what their goals are, clients are empowered to seek out the resources that will help them thrive.

For Denise, this meant building her household management and budgeting skills. She also developed her interpersonal skills to benefit her relationships at work while learning to set personal and professional goals, and the steps necessary to achieve them. Soon she was working full-time, and then became manager of her department.

Since the program’s start in August 2006, 36 families have been actively involved in the Moving Forward program. Twelve of the 36 families have reached a 6-month marker and continue to maintain their housing.

Denise’s family has been housed for 10 months. They meet monthly with staff to work toward new goals and ensure that when Denise graduates from the program, she will have the tools she needs to remain self-sufficient. Her sons are in youth programming and have been able to go to school uninterrupted because of stable housing. Through budgeting, Denise hopes to be able to afford summer camp for the boys this year.

The Moving Forward program journeys with families like Denise’s as they build on the progress they’ve made and seek to move toward greater stability.

*Name changed for privacy.

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