At 58 years old, Sonya is happy to have found stability again. As a mother of eight kids, she and her husband had struggled with disabilities, limited income, and housing stability throughout their 31 year marriage. When her husband left and moved out of state, Sonya found herself losing housing stability once again, this time with two teenagers, her daughter and a grandson Sonya has had custody of since he was three days old.
Sonya has had major medical issues including a heart condition, lupus, and a tumor. The stress of being unstably housed causes her symptoms to flare up, including chest pains and headaches. Sonya and the kids were staying in her car or staying with friends until they were able to enter MSC’s family shelter.
“My case manager at the shelter helped me with everything we needed,” shares Sonya, “whether it was clothes, food, whatever. She made sure we got what we needed.”
They were at the shelter almost a year until moving into MSC’s permanent affordable housing. This housing will help her maintain stability by providing housing that she can afford on her limited income. Sonya is also able to access MSC’s food bank and energy assistance programs.
Sonya’s smile shines through as she talks about her kids and her 21 grandchildren. “I feel good now, less stressed, and I can relax,” she says.
