Drum Roll Please…Our Newest Graduate!

Rose is the proud mom of baby Jenna Rose.She first came to our shelter 2 years ago when she was on the streets, pregnant with Jenna and very sick with a serious lung condition.We have written about her here before, as she and her long time life companion had been together for over 20 years, but due to the strain of dealing with deeply chronic poverty and serial homelessness throughout that time they had never actually gotten married.For a time, Rose stayed in our shelter and her companion Mike stayed at the Haven, a men’s shelter in Rock Hill.We eventually were able to reunite this family by offering them one of our transitional apartments for 2 years.Once settled in, a whole host of volunteers and organizations joined forces to put together a beautiful wedding, and enable the devoted couple to finally realize their long term wish to be married.

Transitional apartments are meant to be a temporary living arrangement – available for up to 24 months – wherein the family can have private subsidized housing while continuing to work hard to find ways to overcome their poverty and homelessness.Rose has done just that and after some hard work and very long hours of studying, attending classes, and working with a tutor, she has completed her GED certification!Rose passed the challenging exam, and walked in her graduation ceremony just before Christmas.She also completed a Work Keys program with the York County Vocational Rehabilitation program.In addition to job hunting, she is already looking into the possibility of additional job training as an animal care assistant.Rose has done a great job of making herself more employable, and thus in a better position to keep her family financially stable.

Her husband Mike had also been on a positive track, having found employment in the construction business, but has hit some difficult setbacks in the form of several very serious – and painful – medical conditions.With one surgery under his belt and perhaps more to come, his focus at this time is on getting healthy again.

And their beautiful daughter Jenna Rose?She’s just hangin’ out enjoying our child care in the daytime and growing up healthy and happy.Unlike the couple’s older children, who do not live with them, she can look forward to a more stable and healthy childhood, and will have a wonderful role model in her own proud mamma.

CONGRATULATIONS ROSIE!WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!