January 2009
A Life in Chaos Finds a Lifeline
Sierra* was 26 years old when she first became homeless. She describes her early years as a life filled with abandonment and neglect. "As a kid, I was always reaching out for love, but my mom always chose her boyfriends instead of me," she explained. Sierra dabbled in drugs and alcohol early on. She started drinking at age 10 and was experimenting with drugs by the time she was 15. "My mom did the best she could, but half of my problems are from my family," she said, bluntly.
Sierra was able to maintain her habit for many years, using drugs until life became hectic, and then always managing to get back on track. "Sometimes I would have the shakes so bad, I would have to down a pint of vodka just to get rid of them, which meant I was drunk by 10:00 AM," she explained. In spite of her apparent alcohol problem, she was able to hold a job and pay her rent. She even started attending school. "I never really could get anywhere, but things never really fell apart either," she said.
Always insecure about her weight, she started taking diet pills to get rid of the extra five pounds she despised. From there, she began her debilitating addiction to meth that lasted nearly five years. All of her money was going to drugs, and soon she was forced to put everything in storage and live on the street. When Sierra was arrested, her mother sent Sierra's four-year old son, Kevin, to live with his father. She had hit an all time low.
Sierra was fortunate to become connected with Department of Social and Health Services, where she was referred to Women Care Shelter. She was eventually placed in permanent housing through the Opportunity Council, a Washington Families Fund grantee. She was able to access services through Brigid Collins Family Support Center, and as a result of these partnerships and resources, her second child was not born into homelessness, and she was granted visitation rights to her son. Sierra has also been able to access intensive case management, mental health services, and parenting classes, which have helped her to maintain her housing and work to create a healthy family. "The Opportunity Council saved my life. They were a lifeline to me. I hope they can continue to help other women."
Families with children are among the fastest growing segments of the homeless population nationwide, and nearly half of the people staying at homeless shelters are families with children. Building Changes, through the Washington Families Fund, continues to unite public and private partners to create lasting solutions for people who are affected by economic and social conditions. We envision a future where every family and individual has a safe, affordable home and the supportive services they need for a healthy, stable life.
(*Names have been changed to protect privacy)
