Eli, leanna, and a new challenge

AFC’s program is grounded in strong principles that consistently help 80–90% of clients move forward with self-sufficiency. Success depends on everyone—staff and clients—committing to key policies:

​

• Every client starts at the Emergency Shelter

• Those with substance history must be in recovery

• Families must fully engage—case management, skill sessions, and more

​

​But what happens when a family technically meets the criteria, yet needs deeper support to become the family they want to be? Eli and Leanna’s situation tested everyone involved. It took creativity, flexibility, and determination to help them build a new beginning.

​

​​

Eli takes action​

​

Eli, originally from Texas, had moved between California and Washington. Leanna was born and raised on the Swinomish Reservation. They met online when Leanna mistakenly thought Eli was someone she knew—but the connection stuck. The couple eventually settled into a rental on tribal land and had three children: a son and twins.

​

In late 2022, Leanna’s mother died suddenly during the holidays. Overwhelmed with grief, Leanna turned to drugs. Addiction took hold and her ability to parent slipped—sometimes she wouldn’t come home at night. When she became pregnant with the couple’s fourth child in 2023 and continued using, Eli made a painful decision: he took their three children and left.

​

“I couldn’t have my kids around drugs,” he said.

​

Through a personal connection, Eli learned about AFC and waited with the children in a motel until space became available. Eventually, they moved into an apartment in the Emergency Shelter (ES), and later into a unit in the Transitional Building (TB).

Leanna takes action

​

From day one, Eli made it clear he wasn’t giving up on Leanna. He told case managers Rachel and Bea that his goal was reunification. His honesty and steady commitment earned the support of the AFC team.

But for the family to come back together, Leanna had to take the next step—sobriety. AFC’s campus is closed to people in active addiction. At first, Leanna hesitated. “I’ll do it tomorrow,” she kept thinking. But when her son asked, “Mom, when are you going to treatment?” she knew it was time. Leanna entered detox, then enrolled at Didgwalic for daily medication-assisted treatment.

​

A customized approach

As both Eli and Leanna showed dedication, Bea adapted her case management practices to support the whole family. She partnered with a Swinomish Indian Tribal Community caseworker to create a plan to transition Leanna and the baby from tribal housing to AFC.

Initially, Leanna could only come on campus to drop off or pick up the children. As her recovery stabilized, she was allowed short visits, then moved into an ES unit with the baby. Like every client, she followed the standard program—no special shortcuts, even though it meant the couple couldn’t visit each other’s apartments (though they could meet outdoors on campus). Leanna was also approved to join Eli in some TB skill sessions. Progress was steady.

reunited and moving forward

​

In March, the family of six moved into a larger TB unit. They were finally under one roof again—reunited! Eli, exhausted but joyful, told Bea how much he needed his partner back—balancing work with a commute, parenting, and program requirements had pushed him to the limit.

Bea remembers his near-daily check-ins early on, stressed out and worried he wouldn’t make it. But he and Leanna pulled together and pulled through. After six months in TB, they moved into an apartment of their own in the nearby Launch building.

​

looking ahead

​

Now, Eli has a good job at a solar panel company in Burlington. Leanna is planning to go to college—and possibly into healthcare or counseling. Their long-term dream? Homeownership.  And why not?  The couple knows what it takes to overcome challenges and build a life, and they’ve done it—together.

Reflecting on their journey, Eli is grateful for everything the family gained through their time at AFC, most importantly the skills sessions he gladly attended (and wishes he could still attend!) and the support he felt from everyone.  His main takeaway is clear: “They helped me save our family.”