Gina and Tyrone’s Story

Gina and Tyrone lost almost everything… their long-time jobs, their savings, their apartment.  They were homeless, but they still had each other.  They were determined not to be split up by the shelter system like so many couples with teenagers.  Family Promise was there to help.

Our waiting list is long due to the growing number of homeless families.  Gina and one son moved into our shelter and waited for two more beds to open up, while Tyrone and their other son went to the men’s shelter. For Gina, being separated was almost too much to bear, but the family was quickly reunited.  ”When the rest of my family came to Family Promise, that calmed me down.  I couldn’t feel at ease until our whole family was together.”

They worked on their plans for the future while they lived in the shelter and interim housing programs of Family Promise.  Thanks to our intensive employment focus, both Gina and Tyrone found jobs the same week their son graduated from high school.  They saved money for a few months then moved to a new apartment with furnishings provided by Family Promise.  Regular visits from our community-based services case manager provide the long-term support needed for family stability.

They’re together and that’s the most important thing.  When asked about the upcoming holidays, Gina said with a smile…”I already have my gift.  We have a home.  That’s all I wanted.”

You can help families like Gina and Tyrone’s in 2012… click here to DONATE and invest in a family’s future.