Autumn, her fiance, and her three young children were trapped in the relentless cycle of homelessness in Georgia. Struggling to find a safe place to stay, they made the tough decision to uproot their family and move to Grand Forks, hoping to find stability with her grandmother. While her fiance worked tirelessly to get them back on their feet, Autumn was unable to work due to not being able to find affordable childcare. Unfortunately, fate dealt them another cruel blow when her grandmother's health deteriorated, leaving them once again without a roof over their heads.
Autumn reached out to United Way, and their response was nothing short of life-changing. A case manager listened intently to Autumn's heartbreaking story and immediately sprang into action. Through United Way's Families First Program, Autumn and her family were swiftly placed into emergency housing, providing them with a glimmer of hope in their darkest hour.
But the support didn't stop there. Autumn's dedicated case manager worked tirelessly alongside her, guiding her through the daunting process of applying for housing, food, and childcare assistance. Together, they embarked on a journey toward financial stability.
After a month of living in emergency housing, Autumn and her family moved into their own apartment that was within their budget. With a place to call their own, Autumn’s family felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
The impact of this life-changing program cannot be overstated. Autumn's children now have a stable foundation upon which to build their futures, free from the constant uncertainty that had plagued their young lives. And for Autumn herself, the support and guidance she received from her case manager were nothing short of a revelation. For the first time, she experienced someone who genuinely cared, who saw her potential and was willing to invest time and effort into helping her family thrive.
Autumn's story is a testament to the power of compassion and the transformative effect of community support. No family should ever feel helpless in the face of financial hardships, and through programs like Families First, United Way is making sure of that. By extending a helping hand, they are breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty, one family at a time.
Autumn's words capture the profound impact of United Way's intervention: "It was honestly amazing because I've never had somebody be so helpful and just take their time to actually get me where I need to be and my family needs to be. Never had somebody do that for me, so it was good to have someone like that." With the unwavering support of United Way and their dedicated case managers, Autumn and her family have been given a second chance at life, and they are determined to make it count.
