Juan and Alicia moved their family into Helping Hand House in the spring of 2001.  Prior to arriving, they had been living in a motel for several weeks and had finally run out of money to pay their weekly rental. With two children, this family had no car, no job, several evictions, and few hopes for the future. Upon moving into one of our houses this family began to take a look at the actions which had put them into this situation. They recognized the need to improve their job skills and to develop a plan for dealing with the future.  This plan included learning to manage money, develop savings and finding and keeping a living wage job. They reviewed their credit report and began to take steps to deal with the most pressing debts. Next they contacted the courts in several jurisdictions so that they could make arrangements to begin to pay off their traffic fines which had led them to having their drivers' licences suspended. 

Within 90 days, Juan had found work and was saving regularly. Alicia had begun to make payments on her traffic tickets and soon had her driver’s license reinstated. Alicia found an apartment manager willing to rent to her and Juan and they moved into their new home. Both adults have taken steps to begin further schooling through local technical colleges and Alicia began classes in January 2002. Upon leaving the shelter they wrote a note to Helping Hand House thanking the staff for providing guidance and inspiration to them. “Due to this window of opportunity we have become enabled to be self-sufficient once again."