What’s Next? – A Mother and Daughter Focus on A New Life
The bond between a mother and daughter is unbreakable. Natalie's family, is grateful for the journey and for The Salvation Army during a time of not knowing what’s next. Natalie, a single mom raising her 16-year-old daughter has faced unforeseen challenges that left both with nowhere to go. “We moved here from Texas because I got a new job… which I was excited for. But then I got sick… really sick. And I could no longer work.” Because of her illness, Natalie could no longer work. She was let go from a stable job she had only worked for a few weeks. Natalie was left with a quickly depleting savings account.
“I had a good savings account, but it only went so far," Natalie said. "Soon, we had nothing and no way to house us because I couldn’t pay bills or a deposit.”
Natalie and Dee stayed at an Airbnb as long as they could in hopes to figure out what was next. They knew they couldn’t afford their living arrangements any longer. Natalie said the landlord was a God send! She was gracious and felt their need. She was the one that directed them to The Salvation Army.”
The Salvation Army Family Hope Center kept Natalie and Dee from being on the streets. Giving Natalie enough time to recover after her surgery.
“I needed surgery for the illness I was going through. I was able to get surgery, rest, recover, and then find work to build up my savings again,” said Natalie.
Natalie stayed positive, advocated for herself and worked with The Salvation Army caseworkers.
“I know how to work and support a family. I just got caught in a tough situation," explains Natalie. "I have always worked for the government, and am grateful to be getting back into government work.”
Thanks to The Salvation army Family Hope Center, Natalie and Dee will be moving into their own place.
"We are so excited to finally be back in our own place! We will be moving soon and it’s brand spanking new! Everything is new! I feel like I can finally give my daughter what she deserves,” she added excitedly.
The Natalie and her teenage daughters are prime examples of perseverance, never giving up, and asking for help when you truly don’t know what's next. “Homelessness, job loss, illness… all of it, it can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter what your title is, who you work for, how much money you have in savings, you can lose it, anyone can," said Natalie.
This mamma bear isn’t backing down when it comes to her dreams and those for her daughter, saying, “I am excited to be stable again, I miss our weekly trying a new restaurant, I miss having a car, I miss the independence… but, I am getting it all back.”
As for Dee, she's in her junior year in high school with SAT’s around the corner. Dee says, “I want to go to college. I want to be a case manager because of the experience I went through. Now I can relate and help people in the future. Thank you to The Salvation Army.”
Has The Salvation Army Impacted you in a positive way? Do you have a story to tell? Reach out to Hannah at Hannah.harris@usw.salvationarmy.org to get your story told.