Starr, Leonardo and their eight children first arrived in Charlotte in February 2019 and were homeless and scared. Over the time that we have known this family, we have been blown away by their resourcefulness and determination. The parents have overcome countless obstacles and are now both working. The mom walked two miles to get to and from work late at night from the only bus stop that runs anywhere near the hotel they stayed in. The family participated in all of our educational workshops and communicated with us daily to share small victories and express appreciation.

After months of searching for affordable housing in a city where very little exists, wading through housing listings that often turned out to be scams, and coming close to needing to move into a shelter where they would be split up—they finally found a home. FFC helped them pay the deposit and first months rent, as well as furnish the home. We were also able to help them get a vehicle to ensure their ability to maintain jobs. Most recently (Nov 2020), both parents were able to obtain great jobs with higher pay, getting them closer to economic stability.