Gina’s Story

Having a safe place to call home has changed the lives of Gina and her daughter Molly. The single mom moved into one of The Care Service’s affordable housing units last year.

“It’s given me my own independence back. I lost who I was when I lost everything,” said Gina. “When I got to unlock the door and open it and watch my daughter put her room together and feel on top again, it was the greatest feeling in the world.”

Gina was working full-time at a local restaurant when she suddenly fell seriously ill. The illness caused her to miss work and fall behind on her rent. She lost her housing and spent months living in her car. During this time, her daughter was able to stay with family while Gina worked with Care Service Case Manager Kim to find housing she could afford. One of the first things Kim did was enroll her in the Care Service Food Pantry to help with her grocery budget.

“It’s not just the food that they give you, it’s the self-esteem that builds you back up when you’ve been knocked down so far,” said Gina.

Gina went back to work full-time after a full recovery. Soon after, she was promoted to shift leader and received a bump in pay. Case Manager Kim assisted Gina with the paperwork to obtain a housing voucher as well as reaching out to potential landlords. When one of The Care Service’s affordable housing units became available, Gina and her daughter were a perfect fit. Kim worked with Gina to develop a budget and connected her to furniture and clothing resources. As a bonus, her new place is just 10 minutes from work.

“[The Care Service] made sure I stayed right where I belonged, and that’s what I love about them,” Gina said. “It’s not just about food. It’s not just about housing. It’s about making you believe in yourself again, and that is what The Care Service has done for me.”