TLC-Hope After Homelessness

At 24 years-old, Marsha already knew what being homeless was like because that is the way she grew up. Never knowing where she would be sleeping, she soon learned ways to escape the harsh reality. Hooking up with others and using methamphetamines, made life survivable but not bearable. Violence and emotional abuse was part of the package but at least she had a place to sleep.

Having her son changed it all. If she was going to keep him she had to live differently or else Child Protective Services would remove him permanently. She had to get clean and sober. She had to get away from her significant other. Not easy things to do when this is all you know.

So first things first--Marsha went to drug treatment and graduated! Sounds great but then where do you go? Still homeless, she went to a local shelter. Here she found out about the Transitional Living Center and made an application to move in. Several months later, she moved into her own apartment; she was starting to go somewhere. This allowed her to be reunited with her son.

At TLC she worked on living differently. She learned how to create routine for her son, how to be a parent, to manage a budget, to shop at a grocery store, to pay the rent on time, and most of all, how to TRUST.

Now, after living at TLC for fourteen months, Marsha and Don have their own apartment and she works supporting other women in recovery helping them see that there is hope after homelessness and addiction. The future is bright for Don, for he will not grow up like his mother thanks to the programs of Transitions.