Thomas House
has received the following Certificates of Special Recognition:
Please enjoy a few of our success stories:
Araceli and Jeremy and their four beautiful children: Jacob, 8yrs., Jayme, 4yrs., Angelina, 1-1/2yrs, and Janelle, 2 months.
In the fall of 2007, the Martinez family found themselves in the desperate situation of being homeless.
Jeremy said, “I recently looked at a picture of our family taken at that time and I could see how sad and hopeless we were. Araceli is strong but she looked weary and she was pregnant. Even the kids looked sad. It was the first time in our married life that we ever got behind. First, I lost my job, then we got evicted and one unfortunate thing after another happened as our life went downhill. We visited resource centers, stayed in overnight Housing Shelters, (where we had to leave at 5:00 a.m.,) and cheap motels. The next thing would be living in our car. We had come to the end of our rope and just declared ourselves “Homeless”. We gave our situation to God and said, “What ever it takes we’ll do it”. Then, miraculously we were lead to Thomas House”. Araceli said, “We couldn’t believe our eyes. Our own apartment, the kids would have their own beds. We just stood there and cried. We had nothing, no food, no stamps, no cash, nothing…and now we were being given a chance to get back on our feet in this beautiful apartment.”
Araceli said she loves the parenting classes, where she meets and talks with other moms and learns new life skills. The kids look forward to the after school program where they get help with their homework, play games and enjoy the snacks. Araceli and Jeremy both spoke of their experience of Christmas at Thomas House. “We never had a more wonderful Christmas celebration,” said Jeremy “complete with a beautiful tree and presents for all of us”. Araceli said, “the night of the Christmas dinner it rained but everyone was so happy it didn’t matter. My little girl ran to Santa Claus and hugged him. It was great”.
When asked if Thomas House might in some way be of more help to the residents, Araceli exclaimed. “No! No! They think of everything, they help you work out problems, they are there at any hour and they don’t rush you. You feel how much they care”.
Life has once again become stable for this family. Jeremy is employed at a flow meter company and will soon be promoted to supervisor. Araceli plans to return to school and work when the children are settled in childcare and they are preparing to move into their new apartment.
Araceli, speaking for herself and Jeremy said, “God bless everyone who makes Thomas House possible for people like us”.
Tina and her five children came to Thomas House Shelter from an emergency domestic violence shelter. She had never been on her own, but she realized that for her safety and the safety of her children she needed to start her life over again and prepare to support her family alone.
Tina worked with the Thomas House employment counselor and found a full-time job. Thomas House assisted with expenses for daycare for the youngest child and after-school care for the other children. Tina worked very hard and saved money but was at a disadvantage because she had no transportation. Thomas House provided bus passes but her time on the bus would have been better spent with her children.
After much encouragement from the staff, Tina took advantage of the opportunity to take driving lessons. After several months of driving lessons and several attempts to pass the test, Tina achieved her goal and got her drivers license. She then used some of her savings to purchase an inexpensive car. It was a joy to see the excitement on the faces of Tina and her children when they drove home from work and school the first day!
Thanks to Tina's courage and determination, as well as the benefactors that make the Thomas House Program possible, Tina and her family are now self-sufficient!
Sue came to Thomas House
after she completed a six-month drug rehabilitation program. She had recently been reunited with her young son and they needed a place to live and a new start.
Sue found a part-time job and enrolled in school. While at Thomas House, she received individual and family counseling, participated in parenting class, paid bills, saved money and received the support she needed to plan for the future. After six months Thomas House helped Sue find an affordable apartment and gather furnishings and household necessities. Moving day was both sad and exciting for Sue and her son as she began living independently for the first time in her life.
Now, Sue has completed her educational program and earned her drug and alcohol certification. She works full-time at a job utilizing her skills and helping people in need. Sue returns regularly to Thomas House to offer encouragement to the new residents. She often can be heard saying, "This is a difficult time for you but don't give up. If I can do it, you can too!"
When she came to Thomas House, Amy was terrified and lonely and doubted whether or not she could help herself and her five children. Recently she moved into a three-bedroom apartment. She is working full-time and was recently promoted within her department. Amy expressed her words of gratitude in an exit interview. "Thomas House helped me find a job. They helped with my children's education. They offered counseling for my children and me, helped me budget and savings and helped me with my food and groceries. They gave me support and helped me with my problems. I'll miss you all. Thank you. God bless all of you at Thomas House."
Emily lost her job and she and her daughter had to move in with relatives in an overcrowded situation. When she could no longer stay with relatives and still could not afford a deposit and rent, she contacted Thomas House and entered the program.
During her stay at Thomas House, Emily enrolled her daughter in school, found full time employment, saved money and benefited from case management, counseling and life skills classes. She renewed her drivers license and eventually bought a car.
Emily now lives in her own apartment and returns to Thomas House regularly to participate in the graduate program. Emily and her daughter are thankful for their new, independent life.
"Thank you for helping my mom and brothers and sisters and me. We needed your help very much. I like where I am. I like Thomas House and I would like to stay here forever. That's how much I like this place. You are the best here and you are all very nice. I think you should work at Thomas House forever. ”
- AThomas House 13 Year Old Graduate