Featured Story

Sarah* is a single mom of two children, Zach*, age 6, and Jordan*, age 3 and was in a desperate situation. Her family was living in a shelter for several months. A victim of domestic abuse, Sarah had no income of her own. Scared and lonely, she just didn’t know what to do. One evening she decided to leave home and everything she knew, with only her children in her arms and the clothes on their backs. They lived on the streets for a few days until they were placed in a shelter. No privacy, not feeling safe and secure is no way to live. Sarah began to doubt that she had made the best decision for herself or her family. She tried to be strong, but felt lost and alone. Then she found Hale House. We also know of too many women like Sarah who are trying to provide a safe and secure home for their children but have to struggle to do so. These brave mothers are in desperate situations. We offer services to help create a network of resources and tools that help to empower them to rebuild their lives. But there are many more just like them. We meet new families and hear new heartbreaking stories every day. We provide subsidized childcare for children who are too young to go to school and whose parents cannot afford the ever-increasing cost of care for their children. Educational assistance is given to help enroll school age children into the classroom. We work with the parent to make sure that their child is attending school. We provide transitional housing to qualifying single parents and their children. We also work with each of these families to help find a permanent affordable housing solution. Workshops are held on how to create a budget, balance a checkbook, grocery shopping economically, parenting skills and how to create a support system in the community where they live. These workshops are an integral part of building life skills necessary to any single parent’s home. Most importantly, these and many other services that Hale House provides help to create a life for women like Sarah where they feel empowered and confident to stand on their own. To provide for their family in a positive way, especially in a way that their children feel safe and secure, is life changing. Jordan and Zach enjoy their new apartment, especially the room they share. They have neighbors to play with and community activities in which to participate. And most importantly their mother, Sarah, smiles again. The staff at Hale House sees Sarah’s confidence returning—it’s the first sign that they can begin to talk to her about finding a permanent home for her and her family. With you as our partner, we will continue to provide children and families with the tools to excel. Women like and Sarah will find peace and the strength to be positive. Children like Zach and Jordan will find happiness and security through their mothers’ happiness *Names changed to protect their identities.