West Women's and Children's Shelter

West Women's and Children's Shelter has continued to offer emergency shelter, transitional housing, crisis line services, advocacy/case management, food services, to survivors of domestic violence with the generous support of our donors. Below is a narrative of a survivor and her children we provided shelter, safety, and hope to with your help.

“Rita” and her four children came to the West from a very long period of homelessness, trauma, domestic violence, and issues of adult chemical dependency.   “Rita” was referred by Pam Britt, homeless lesion from Chapman elementary school. Pam was aware of “Rita's” family situation through working with her children. Pam called and advocated strongly for this wonderful mom who had been struggling for a very long time and needed somewhere to stay with her children ages 4 to 12.

“Rita” and her kids came to the West, shaken and nervous.   After meeting with her, “Rita’s” Family Advocate learned how this family had been on the streets, staying in cars, couch surfing, residing in hotels and emergency shelters for over a year.  “Rita” was in an abusive relationship with her youngest children's father.  He was manipulative, violent, but worst of all to “Rita”, he made it impossible for her to be the mother she needed and wanted to be.  “Rita” decided to leave, gave notice at the apartment she shared with her abuser, obtained a restraining order, paid rent for the next couple of months to keep her belongings there, and went to stay with a friend as she no longer felt safe. When she returned to collect her belongings, there was an eviction notice on the door and within a couple of weeks, her and her children were locked out with nowhere to go.

For the month of August and September 2012, “Rita” and her family bounced between hotels, friends, their car, and a shack she built for her family in a park. She tells us that one night, she awoke to find one of her twins had wandered off. She found him quickly, but knew then she needed to find a more permanent, safe home for her and her family. She connected with a shelter (Yolanda house), and was there for a month and a half. She then moved her and her children to another shelter (Raphael house) but was still unable to find anything permanent or stable for her family. After her stay at the second shelter, “Rita” and her children used a TA-DVS grant and money she received from her tax return to stay in hotels. Upon the funds running out, she found herself and her children back on the streets. For six months, they bounced between street, couches, and a park. “Rita” felt defeated and unable to continue.

She felt she was failing as a mother, the one thing she states she had always wanted to be. Finally, she called the West and was able to come in with her kids. It was evident immediately the love she has for her children is immense. She was visibly shaken, but held it together for them. She decorated their room to make it home, spent time with each one, together and separately, and did everything she could to make them feel safe and happy.

While at the West, “Rita” has dug in and really worked on her core issues, domestic violence, housing barriers, and addiction issues. Her advocate in her recovery program speaks very highly of her, stating she is a joy to work with and is doing all she can to stay on track. “Rita” attended our in house groups, including over 20 hours of our domestic violence education and support group. “Rita” had stabilized, and yet we saw the need for further assistance for her and her family. They needed a home in which to grow and bond as a family.

“Rita” was approved for our Women's Housing Collaborative, WHC, in October 2013.  The WHC is a permanent supportive housing program designed to assist chronically homeless women in their efforts to achieve self-sufficiency by providing rental assistance, imparting life skills, and offering advocacy.  Upon hearing the news, “Rita” was both excited and nervous.  She and her kids hadn't known stability in some time. She applied to rentals and was denied due to her background. Magically, she came up on a low income waitlist.  We encouraged her to follow that lead. With letters of advocacy, a larger support system and optimism, “Rita” began the process.  She was denied the first pass, but with lots of encouragement, letters from staff at the West, her advocate from recovery, and a beautiful letter from herself requesting a reasonable accommodation, her denial was overturned, and “Rita” and her kids were able to move into a home on December 20^th, just in time for time for Christmas.