Success Story: Home Safe and Sound

Tamela, a single mother of three, had a job she loved, but it didn’t pay well. Between full-time work, caring for a child with special needs, and unsafe housing, she was stretched thin. 

Her apartment had mice, unsanitary conditions, and repairs that went ignored. Eventually Tamela decided she wouldn’t keep paying rent for a place like that, and for several months the family moved between hotels and the homes of friends. It was hard on everyone. 

When she called the CAP line, Tamela was identified as a strong candidate for Shelter Diversion and matched with a Bethany House shelter diversion case manager who got right to work. Shelter Diversion is a program that quickly finds families a new home and stabilizes them there, rather than having families first move into shelter. 

Bethany House connected Tamela to benefits that helped offset the costs of caring for her son, which lifted a huge financial burden. She also helped Tamela find mental health support, coached her through a search for a better-paying job, and helped her secure a safer apartment. 

After six months in the Shelter Diversion program, Tamela graduated and is now working at UDF in a job she enjoys, and her son has the additional support he needs. Today the family is stable and happy in their new, safe home.