A few years ago, Erin’s life felt like it was falling apart. She didn’t have a safe place to live when she learned that she was pregnant. She was finding shelter in a car that barely worked. It wasn’t safe to drive, and some windows were missing. Just trying to survive each day took every ounce of energy she had in her.
Getting to appointments was a challenge because her car could not be trusted. Still, Erin kept trying. She knew she had to find a way to build a better life for herself and her baby.
That choice to seek help and keep going changed everything.
Erin connected with Goodwill’s Foundational Community Supports program and was paired with a case manager. Together, they started working through the problems one by one. Erin stayed involved and showed up, even when things were tough. When transportation became a barrier, her case manager stepped in and drove out to meet her so she could go to important housing appointments.
With each step, Erin moved closer to stability. She worked through the process and stayed focused on her goal. Soon, she was able to move into her own apartment. It was clean, safe, and affordable. Finally, she felt like she was in a place where she could breathe.
Before finishing the program, Erin earned a Section 8 housing voucher. This gave her more security and made sure she could keep a stable home for herself and her baby.
When her daughter was born, Erin brought her home to a warm and safe space. It was a moment she had worked hard for. But Erin did not stop there.
Over the next two and a half years, she kept building her life. She worked hard and stayed focused. Today, she works full time for the State of Washington. She can afford her own housing and provide for her daughter. Their life is steady, and they are doing well.
Erin also decided she wanted to give back. She now helps others through her work at WorkSource and mentors young parents through YoungLives. She shares her story so others know that change is possible.
Looking back, Erin knows how far she has come. She made the choice to take the first step, and she stayed committed, even when it was hard. Along the way, she found the support she needed to help her keep going.
“I am thankful to Goodwill because they supported me during one of the most vulnerable times in my life,” she said. “Because of that, I was able to turn my life around.”
Today, Erin is building the kind of life she once hoped for. It is steady, safe, and full of purpose, for herself and her daughter.