A Note from the Director

Last week I drove two of our guests – a woman and her young son – to the airport. They were flying to Washington DC, where they have a larger support network and a friend who offered them housing. It was too hard for this single mom to work, pay for childcare, and end up with enough to get anywhere close to the cost of rent.
 
We left the house at 4 a.m. She brought with her one large suitcase, two carry-on bags, her purse, and a small backpack full of toys that her son carried. That was all. We weighed the big suitcase – 62 pounds. She would need to rearrange her belongings, leave things behind, or pay an extra $100. Her carry-on bags were already stuffed full, so she took out some items to leave – clothes, a blanket, and a Bible. “Ni modo.” Oh well. She got the weight down to 52 pounds, which was good enough for the airline.

I was so struck watching this mother and son, with their few belongings, making their way through the airport. This would be their second time on a plane, the first time being when they flew to California after having been held in detention in Texas. I was a witness to their courage and resilience, starting over once again in a whole new place (this time with snow). 

Their story is not unique. Every day we learn from and are inspired by the strength of our guests as they try to move forward with their families, faced with the constant challenges of the housing market and the immigration system. We thank you, our friends, for your ongoing prayers and support. As always, please let us know if you have any housing leads!