Facing Homelessness, Wildflower Family Receives Help from Wildflower & Many More
by Laura Krotky
Wildflower mom, Samantha, had been receiving services from Wildflower for 6 years when she reached out to her Wildflower family liaison, Debbie Whitehill, with terrible news. Samantha’s rent was going up and she wouldn’t be able to afford the increase. Rather than face eviction and the damage that would do to her financial record, she chose to pack up her 3 children and leave their apartment. What followed was 2 months of homelessless. The young family spent time living with friends and relatives. There were also nights in their car as well as a homeless shelter. Through it all, Samantha got her kids to school every day and never missed a day of work herself.
Wildflower was ready to help. We reached out to our community of partners and their generosity was overwhelming.
Jewish Family & Children’s Service offered to pay fees and find furniture for the family. Piece by Piece Movers offered moving services and Mission of Deeds provided beds. Wildflower volunteers donated furniture and kitchen cabinets. All the while, Samantha was looking for a new rental, finally finding a good fit with enough bedrooms for the whole family. Samantha wrote to Wildflower, “OMGOSH!!! I have so many happy emotions and I don’t know what to do with them!”
After Samantha moved in, she wrote again to Wildflower, saying, “The move was great, John from Piece by Piece is a wonderful person. He set up our beds and our living room set! We all slept like babies our first official night in the apartment. I want to thank you. The kids want to thank you.”
Wildflower’s commitment to our families extends far beyond the summer camp experiences we offer the children. We serve as a resource and partner for the parent. We understand that our families will live with grief for a lifetime, so we’re committed to supporting them for as long as they need our help.
Following graduation this spring, Samantha’s oldest daughter, Angelica, will travel to the British Virgin Islands on a hurricane relief trip with Visions Service Adventures. It will be her 8th year attending a summer camp provided by Wildflower. Wildflower has expanded our program every year. In 2019, we expect to serve over 80 children as well as their parents. Each of our families is learning to rediscover life after the devastating loss of a parent or spouse.