When Life Happens, WISEPlace is There
Love and Determination Overcome Hardship and Loss
Our mission at WISEPlace is to permanently end homelessness for the unaccompanied women we serve in Orange County. We help secure housing and empower them with the tools they need for long-term success. But sometimes life throws a curveball, as it did for WISEPlace graduate Augusta.
When Augusta entered WISEPlace for the first time in 2019, she was at her breaking point. Her husband had passed away from an undiagnosed brain condition when she was pregnant with her third child. Devastated and widowed at just 25 years old with three small children under the age of eight, Augusta came to California in the hopes of a fresh start for her family.
Without a job, she couldn’t find anyone who would rent to her. She quickly used up her savings paying for hotel rooms, and when her money ran out, they began sleeping in her car. A trusted family member offered to care for her children while she looked for housing and saved up money from her job. It was at that moment that Augusta contacted WISEPlace.
“When I walked into WISEPlace for the first time, I was feeling very overwhelmed. I had been through so much. The staff and case managers were there for me whenever I needed support and advice. They got me through this hard time and I’m so thankful.” – Augusta
WISEPlace helped Augusta obtain housing, financial support, a housing voucher, moving assistance, and furniture donations. In June 2020, after nearly two years of homelessness, Augusta was reunited with her children in their new home!
But then life happened, again. Just when Augusta had achieved the stability she worked so hard for, she lost her retail job in 2021 due to an economy battered by COVID-19. Without a steady income, she was in danger of losing her housing too.
“When they walked in the door for the first time, it was a amazing feeling to see the smiles on their faces. Their eyes lit up and they gave me the biggest hug I’ve ever gotten and kept saying, ‘We love you Mommy! We’re so happy we have our own place!” – Augusta
WISEPlace’s Alumni Engagement Program enables us to support graduates like Augusta through life’s up and downs. When we learned of Augusta’s new challenges and job loss, we stepped back in and helped her find a different apartment that is better suited to her current needs and income. We also arranged for counseling and after school programs for her children, which gave her time to look for a new job.
During this overwhelming time, Augusta’s health insurance had also lapsed, and she was having difficulty getting it reactivated. Having medical coverage is vital for good health so WISEPlace jumped in to help Augusta navigate the process. As a result, her Medi-Cal coverage was successfully reactivated and prorated so there was no break in her coverage.
Today, Augusta has a full-time job working at a senior care facility. It’s a perfect fit and she loves going to work each day. With a helping hand from WISEPlace, Augusta and her family have found stability and are thriving once again!
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How can you help?
When you support WISEPlace, you provide safe shelter solutions and empowering wrap-around services to unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness. Donate now to provide a caring community for those who call WISEPlace home.
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