A Little Help for a Fresh Start

Jenika was startled to discover her apartment riddled with rodents. Her landlord was unresponsive to her requests for fumigation, and she constantly worried for her 13-year-old daughter’s safety in this environment.

As a result, Jenika made the decision to break her lease and look for another home. This choice made it difficult for Jenika to find housing because landlords wouldn’t rent to her since she broke her last lease. After bouncing around without a home for a month, Jenika came to Bethany House.

Jenika was immediately assigned a case manager who told her about mental health resources available to her. “My case worker made me realize I needed it”, says Jenika. Her case worker also helped resolve the issues caused by the previous broken lease.

After exiting shelter Jenika entered the Rapid Re-Housing program, a program that provides rental support and case management to families for up to two years after leaving shelter. Her case manager provided a list of landlords who partnered with Bethany House and were willing to give her a fresh start.

Now in a much better place, she is glad to have the opportunity to work and save for her and her daughter’s future.

Her advice to anyone experiencing similar circumstances: “Help is help!” Jenika advises. “Do not have too much pride to deny help when you need it the most.”