THRIVING ONCE AGAIN: MIRANDA MARIE’S STORY

Community Rebuilders is breaking down the stigma surrounding homelessness.

“We commonly hear people say that if somebody is experiencing homelessness, they need to get a job. While there’s a critical need for employment and financial resources to obtain and maintain housing, many families we work with have employment,” clarified Maranda VanZegeren, Divisional Director at Community Rebuilders.

This was the case with a recent client, Miranda Marie. “I came to Community Rebuilders to avoid eviction. I worked in a school, and my hours had been cut drastically during COVID, so I fell behind on rent.”

Through their HOME program, Community Rebuilders assists residents with securing and maintaining housing. As leaseholders, participants receive short-term rental assistance for 6–12 months. Afterwards, tenants maintain their housing without any type of assistance.

“I worked with my Housing Resource Specialist, and she was such a great support. The whole process, from paperwork to working with my landlord, was completely seamless. They made a difficult time in my life much easier to handle, and I could tell that I wasn’t just a number to them,” said Miranda Marie.

HOME offers voluntary, housing-focused supportive services based on each household’s wants and needs. Staff partner with clients to achieve their goals to maintain long-term housing once they exit the program. Together, they find solutions that meet each client’s needs, including making referrals to other community partners to promote housing stability. By connecting with local resources, clients improve their access to healthcare, nutrition, education, and economic stability.

“United Way supports case management services for Kent County residents facing homelessness or at risk of homelessness,” explained Samantha Elliot-Mosley, Community Rebuilders’ Director of Advancement and Communication. “It’s really helpful because it gives us flexibility to provide supportive services. We’re able to use this funding to address the need for safe, decent, and quality housing for low-income households.”

Thanks to the assistance she received through HOME, Miranda Marie is thriving once again.

“Now, almost a full year later, I’m still in my home, and I’m back to working full time. The program gave me the chance to stabilize in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to without support, and I’m so appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

Learn more about our agency partners and the programs we fund at hwmuw.org/how-we-help.