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St. Ann's Uplifts: Lindsay’s Story
Lindsay's Story
The youngest of three siblings, Lindsay has dealt with her mother’s mental illness for most of her life. It was this illness that caused her family to slip from a comfortable middle-class life into one of poverty and struggle. For Lindsay, it meant a childhood of uncertainty with frequent moves, several stays in homeless shelters and multiple school placements. Eventually, her family ended up in a residential program that allowed her mother to get consistent treatment and brought some much-needed stability to the family.
Initially, since she had no clear inclination toward a particular career path, Lindsay tried a number of jobs. She discovered, while temporarily employed as a house cleaner, that she really enjoys an occupation which requires a moderate to high level of physical activity and the opportunity to work with her hands. But to become self-supporting, Lindsay recognized that she would need to do more. With the help of our social workers, she applied to a program offered by S.O.M.E., one of St. Ann’s community partners. She enrolled in the agency’s Center for Employment Training where she is preparing to become a building maintenance service technician. She has already taken several classes and has had hands-on training in carpentry, plumbing, and appliance maintenance. She loves the work and is excited to be learning more each day. Upon completion of the program, she will be placed in a job that pays a living wage. Additionally, Lindsay’s exposure to the building maintenance field has inspired her to achieve a higher goal, that of entering a plumber’s apprenticeship.
Lindsay’s S.O.M.E. externship will continue after she and her daughter move into their own apartment, having successfully transitioned from Faith House. CC, always bubbling with enthusiasm, “graduated” from St. Ann’s Child Care program and has started kindergarten.
While other transitions await her and CC, their two years at Faith House have allowed Lindsay to develop many skills that will help her young family succeed in independence.
If Lindsey's story inspires you, please share it with someone you know. With your voice, we can spread the mission and message of St. Ann's.
About St. Ann's Supportive and Transitional Housing Program
In 1996, St. Ann’s opened Faith House to address the critical housing need for young, homeless mothers in our community. In 2013, St. Ann’s expanded this transitional living program with the opening of Hope House, a new housing unit for homeless single mothers and their children.
In our Faith House and Hope House programs, vulnerable young families receive resources and support to help them make a successful transition to financial independence and self-sufficiency within two years.
Our residents have access to a comprehensive continuum of care that not only addresses their immediate housing and living needs, but also prepares them for a successful career, stable family life, and confident future.
