Not on the Bingo Card
Being homeless was not on Tomeka’s bingo card.
Tomeka’s was pregnant with her second child and had just moved in with her mother in order to save money before the baby came. But having two young children in her home was not on Tomeka’s mother’s bingo card either, and she asked Tomeka to move out.
Tomeka was six months pregnant when she and her daughter came to Bethany House in November 2023. She found it mentally challenging to sit and wait. The time seemed to creep by, and she felt powerless to speed the process along.
Because of her age (23), Tomeka qualified for the Keeping Every Youth Safe (KEYS) program–a comprehensive community plan to end youth homelessness. Cincinnati/Hamilton County was one of the initial ten communities selected to participate in this HUD-funded Project back in 2018. It remains an important piece of rehousing support for people ages 18-24.
Once enrolled in KEYS, Tomeka felt understood and cared for, and things began to move quickly. Tomeka had her baby in January 2024, and her family was rehoused in February!
One year later, Tomeka and her children are doing well. Tomeka had always wanted to go to cosmetology school, and she began full time in March 2025. In one year more, Tomeka will be a licensed cosmetologist.
Tomeka’s advice to anyone in her situation: “Stick it out!” In the moment, everything felt hard but looking back, she realizes it wasn’t so bad. “It’s hard to be patient when you don’t know how things will turn out,” Tomeka explained.
Bethany House is excited for Tomeka as she embarks on her education and fulfills her dreams.
