After moving back to Washington, I found myself in a situation I didn't see coming. My adult daughter had left Virginia for a “military change of station”, which meant that I decided to leave Virginia as well. The choice was easy: head west back to Washington State and Skagit County specifically, where I knew people and resources. Although I thought I had a place lined up, the housing fell through. I figured I could sort it out quickly, but instead, my five-year-old son and I ended up homeless for a few agonizing weeks before we found the Anacortes Family Center.

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Other obstacles piled up fast. Just trying to get my son enrolled in daycare and then kindergarten took so much time and energy, which completely crippled my ability to work. Having experienced homelessness twice before in Mount Vernon, I knew how exhausting the struggle could be and how vulnerable I was to settling back into old habits. 

I needed structure to succeed!

AFC turned out to be completely different and truly amazing compared to other programs: it provided actual structure, a schedule, and real accountability. All of the people on staff at AFC are incredible and made the program so memorable. My case manager, Rachel, was a true lifeline, emotionally, mentally, and physically; her door was always open. She constantly went above and beyond, offering moral support during our case management meetings where we set actionable goals. AFC completely redefined what support looked like.

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Through AFC and their Life Skills program, I gained practical tools that I still rely on today.  The classes that were particularly helpful were:  

• Guest speakers from “SVC” where I learned about enrolling for college, programs being offered and where and who to go to for information and services

• An owner from our local “Rockfish Grill” restaurant taught us about “all things employment”...exactly how to navigate interviews and present ourselves professionally.  We learned all about what makes a good employee.  I learned about college program 

• We also learned about trauma and the mental health pyramid which helped me understand myself and stay grounded during high-stress moments.

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The AFC showed me that an entire network of support exists: from staff members like Rachel, Pat, Karen and Beatriz to local community resources.

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I will never give up, no matter how hard it gets

Another hard part of the transition was navigating the move into our permanent apartment.  The process was overwhelming—applying to different apartments, endless paperwork, going back and forth, getting denied, and fighting to get back on the list.

So many people give up because it feels like everyone is dragging them along and you are desperate for stability. But if there’s one thing I’ve always known about myself, it’s that I will never give up, no matter how hard it gets. Giving up simply isn't an option.

 

Today, we are finally in our permanent home. To anyone facing homelessness, my message is simple: keep going, keep a positive attitude, and lean on the support around you. AFC didn't just give us shelter; they gave us the community and strength to cross the finish line.

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Story by AFC staff