From Homelessness to Homeowner
ARETHA’S STORY of resilience
In honor of our 30th anniversary, we are reconnecting with one of our former clients to hear about her journey and the lasting impact Miriam’s House has had on her life.
In 2015, Aretha’s life took a difficult turn when her long-time partner passed away, leaving her not only grieving but also without stable housing due to the loss of his income. With nowhere to go, she turned to a local homeless shelter for help before finding refuge at Miriam’s House. “When I arrived at Miriam’s House, I was at a low point in my life. I had lost my home, my partner, and felt uncertain about my future,” Aretha recalls. She stayed at Miriam’s House for six months, and during that time, the support she received made all the difference.
Miriam’s House gave Aretha more than just a roof over her head—we helped her rebuild her life. “The staff worked with me one-on-one, helping me set clear goals and giving me the push I needed to succeed,” Aretha shares. With the support of our staff, she secured a full-time job and began budgeting for her own apartment. When she moved out, Miriam’s House helped with furnishing and setting up her new home.
The aftercare support group at Miriam’s House became a vital part of Aretha’s journey. Through the group, she maintained strong connections, surrounding herself with people who had been through similar challenges. “The group helped me stay housed, and I always knew I could count on them if I ever needed advice or support. They kept me connected to Miriam’s House even after I moved out,” she says.
In the years following Aretha’s time at Miriam’s House, she continued to grow in her career in the food industry. “I’ve had a couple of challenges at jobs, but I was able to maintain my work, and now I have a job I love. I meet new people every day, I learn from a great chef, and it’s a really nice place to work,” Aretha says proudly. Over the last couple years, Aretha began saving half of each paycheck and worked on improving her credit, paying off debts she never thought she could overcome. Miriam’s House staff sat down with her to review her credit report, identify areas to improve, and celebrated each milestone achieved.
Aretha’s proudest accomplishment came this autumn when she achieved the dream of homeownership. “When I left Miriam’s House, I was just happy to be able to rent my own apartment. But I kept moving forward, and now I own my own home. It’s something I can truly call mine, and I feel more stable knowing I’m building wealth,” Aretha says with a smile. Her family is proud of her journey, and Aretha loves her neighborhood, where everyone looks out for one another.
The support Aretha received at Miriam’s House gave her the foundation she needed to thrive. Today, she looks back on her journey with gratitude and confidence, knowing that she has come a long way from where she started.