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Overview

I am a I recently secured housing for my family but prior to this accomplishment was homeless for two years. As a single mother of eight I have worked in sales and jobs including watch repair, photography and inventory. Now that's I've secured a house for my family, my next mission is to find a job that will allow me to become self-sufficient and better provide for my family.

With bus fare I will be able to better navigate the city to attend job fairs, go to the library to use their computers to search for jobs, collect applications and attend interviews. School clothes for my children will provide me with peace of mind and allow my children to attend school and meet the dress standards that are required. Without a car it is hard to get around. Gauranteed bus fare will allow me to plan ahead in my search for a job. Waking up and not having to worry about getting from point A to B, then C and D and back would help relieve a lot of stress and remove one less obstacle in my search for employment. Once I get a job and am able to save, I plan to work with Black Family Development to secure permanent transportation for myself.

I used to live in a suburb of Detroit but moved to the city three years ago because my family was expanding. A few months after my move, I lost my job and was in and out of the hospital due to illness. During my hospitalization I fell behind on my bills and was unable to keep up with the medical costs attached to my hospital visits. As a result, I lost my home and for the past two years was squatting in a house. A few months ago, a resident in the neighborhood introduced me to Paula at Black Family Development. Paula then told me about the Promise Neighborhoods Program which I am now enrolled in, and am working with Paula to become self sufficient. My first milestone since entering the program has been in securing a home for me and my eight children. Now that we are moved in Paula has helped me locate schools for my children to attend that are close to where we live. They now need uniforms, which are required of all students. My next goal is to secure a job so I can provide for my family moving forward. My transportation is limited and prohibiting me from accessing potential jobs in areas outside of my immediate surroundings.

School clothes for my children will allow me to direct a bit more of the limited resources I have on my job search. In visiting businesses and attending job fairs I have to look professional. My kids, however, come first and right now they need school clothes so I've found myself putting what I have into their needs and putting my needs on the backburner for the time being.

Watch Paula's video

Validated

Validated by Paula from Black Family Development (What does this mean?)

I met Nylah through a referral by a previous client of mine. I met Nylah and then referred her to the Promise Neighborhood at Black Family Development so she could recieved further support.  She then became my client and I have been working with her to secure housing, schools for her children to attend in her neighborhood and now I am working with her to find work.

I think meeting this need is important because it will allow her to become self sufficient and able to support her children moving forward.

Although her family is facing financial differculty they still work together as a team to support one another as best they can.

About Paula

I am a Case Manager at Black Family Develompent. I am responsible for linking clients with resources in the community through the Promise Neighborhoods Program. Promise Neighborhoods' vision is ensure that all children in the Detroit Clark Park/Osborn Neighborhoods have access to excellent… Read more