Stepping Toward Empowerment
Emily stared down at her worn shoes through eyes blurred with tears as her aunt delivered the news. “I did the best I could for you, girl. But we ain’t hardly got enough room in this house for you, let alone for you and a BABY. You gonna have to find someplace else to live. And I mean today!”
A perfect storm.
First the job – gone, like so many, due to the pandemic.
Then the baby – coming. Certainly not expected, not planned.
Now – nowhere to live. Another hard ‘surprise.’
Emily’s weary steps led her to AlphaCare. Social Worker Brianna welcomed her, listened to her story. Asked questions. Tried to hide her increasing concern.
This was going to be even harder than usual – a steep uphill battle. So many factors were stacked against Emily…how to find a way to help?
Brianna knew Emily could not afford an apartment with no job and meager savings. Despite her efforts to find other employment, the coming baby was limiting Emily’s prospects. Even rental assistance programs could therefore not be an option for her, at least not right now.
Overwhelmed with the need, low-income housing in Philadelphia is synonymous with long waiting periods, often stretching into years. In Emily’s dire situation, that option must also be checked off the list of immediate possibilities.
Maternity homes do not always have openings.
One must apply.
And hope.
And wait.
However, Brianna resolutely gave Emily a list of maternity homes to contact. Putting this information into her hands was the second step towards empowerment, towards helping Emily advocate for herself. The first step had been coming to AlphaCare.
Plans for tomorrow are one thing. But what about today? Tonight? For the interim, Emily still needed a place to stay. Brianna walked her through the specifics of how to navigate the intake process for a shelter in Philadelphia. A reservation was secured, and the two women agreed on the next appointment date at AlphaCare.
Brianna watched Emily’s slight figure leave the office. Alone. On her way to a shelter she’d never seen before, and into a very uncertain future. Brianna prayed for God to watch over this woman and her baby, to make a way for them to move forward safely.
And He answered.
Emily did her homework, contacting the organizations on the list Brianna gave her, and God blessed her efforts. She was accepted and moved in to a local maternity home, where she has safe and stable housing. Brianna marveled with her at the kindness of God in causing her application process to be expedited in an unusually short amount of time. Emily has even been given permission to remain there for a time following her baby’s birth.
Emily was passionate as she expressed her gratitude for AlphaCare’s help in finding secure temporary housing. She has expressed her faith in God and her recognition of His provision. She feels the weight of her first immediate problem has been lifted from her shoulders, and she is now focusing on her next goal: finding steady employment.
Under Brianna’s guidance and with growing confidence, Emily is learning to address one obstacle at a time. With practical and timely help, she is moving forward step by step and with great hope into a better future – for her, and for her baby.