Your Support Helped Michelle Never Give Up!
When you believe in yourself, anything is possible.
Michelle grew up in San Diego, the daughter of teenage parents with a family history of alcoholism. She was sexually molested when she was four years old and physically abused throughout her childhood. As a result of these traumas, Michelle developed a learning disability that affected her ability to read. After enduring years of abuse and self-doubt, Michelle left home at age 18 in search of a better life.
Michelle struggled financially and emotionally over the next several years and was not able to maintain stable housing. She lived in a series of shelters that provided a temporary roof over her head, but no way out of homelessness. At age 59, she had lost all hope and did not care if she lived or died. This painful cycle was finally broken when Michelle came to WISEPlace in May 2019.
“When I got to WISEPlace, it changed everything. They took an interest in me as a person and told me that I had a future. WISEPlace believed in me and in every single person there. They said let’s find out what you want to do and let’s get you there.” – Michelle
Thanks to your support, we were able to provide vital wraparound services to Michelle that are key to ending homelessness. The WISEPlace Way is a solutions-based program to get women back on their feet with supportive services. To guide her on her journey to self-reliance, we provided Michelle with safe shelter, case management, therapy, employment assistance, financial planning, and health and wellness support.
Michelle began working as a full-time caregiver at an assisted living facility, taking long bus rides to and from work each day. For the first time in her life, she loved her job and found her calling in helping others. With WISEPlace by her side, she began to believe in herself, stopped drinking, worked long hours to save money, and set goals for the future.
Michelle moved to WISEPlace’s Positive Step House program, a small group home that serves as a transition to independent living. She is now paying rent while still receiving individualized wraparound services from WISEPlace.
As an essential worker during COVID-19, Michelle puts her life on the line every day to care for the elderly who have been hit hard by the pandemic. Having gone through profound hardship inspires her to work even harder to help those in need.
Uplifted with newfound confidence, Michelle recently secured a higher-paying caregiver job closer to home! So she can continue to grow in her new career, WISEPlace arranged for her to enroll in an educational program to become a certified memory care specialist. Michelle plans to keep working hard and complete her education. She credits WISEPlace and our supporters for providing her with the keys to a new life and career at age 60.
“YOU changed everything for me. I now believe that I can do it and that I’m worth it. I feel like a million dollars. The sky is the limit! Thank you for standing by my side. ”
– Michelle
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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