Stay up to date with events, news, and opportunities by signing up for the Ministry of Caring's quarterly newsletter.
June 21, 2016
Every Sunday, Qina Godwin cooks meals for her housemates at Hope House III, and the menu often includes her delicious Ribs ’n’ Mac ’n’ Cheese. But it wasn’t long ago that Qina didn’t know where her next meal would come from, and where she and her three children would sleep at night.
Qina lost her apartment in May and had been struggling to find stability before she came to Hope House III.
Hope House III is a temporary emergency shelter for women with children, a comfortable site that provides residents with a stable environment and support for 30 to 45 days. During their stays, women work with a case manager who helps them to acquire skills in life management and parenting, while their children receive educational and recreational enrichment at Ministry of Caring child care programs.
“Now that I’m here, I’m back on my feet,” she says.
Since entering the house, she has learned how to use a computer and, with help from her caseworker, she successfully acquired a job cleaning businesses. She was able to get approved for an apartment and is currently near the top of the waiting list for a apartment of her own.
Qina attributes much of her success to Kim Boulden, the dedicated site manager of Hope House III.
“The house has had a good impact because of Miss Kim. Miss Kim works with you, especially if she sees that you are trying. That’s the kind of people I like, the people that bend over backwards to help you because they see you trying,” Qina said. “Kim is more hands on, the rest of the shelters I’ve been to are not like that. They are basically, you go out and do what you got to do yourself, Kim is more helpful and helps you strive and makes sure that you succeed and get where you need to be.”
Qina’s story is another example of how the Ministry of Caring’s continuum of care is successful for those who are ready to do the hard work of improving their lives.
“It’s a good program if you apply yourself and do what you need to do,” Qina said. “You’re not going to be successful if you are not trying.”