I’ve been a New Yorker all my life. I’m a mother of three: two daughters, and a son with special needs. I’m a proud member of the Anthos|Home Speakers Bureau.

I believe sharing the story of what I went through can help change the lives of others.

I had lived in my apartment for 14 years. During COVID, the bathroom ceiling started breaking apart. I called the super and the landlord, and no one came to help. When that ceiling finally fell in, our apartment was declared unsafe. Just like that, my family entered the New York City shelter system.

I found myself standing in front of the Department of Homeless Services with $17, two garbage bags, and three kids.

When I finally got to speak with someone, I gave the city agency my son’s doctor’s notes, explaining that we needed to stay in the Bronx for continuous medical care, and so my children would be close to their school. Despite that, we were placed at a shelter in Brooklyn, where I didn’t know a soul.

After reaching back out for help, we were eventually transferred to a Bronx shelter, but it was still difficult. One night, my son was very ill. The rules of the shelter meant that I couldn’t go out to get the Pedialyte that my son needed. I begged the staff to help, but the rules are the rules. He ended up in the hospital.

Before I even went to the shelter, I had a housing voucher and had already started my search for a new apartment. I didn’t think I would be at the shelter for long. I spent hundreds of dollars on application fees and credit checks and had nothing to show for it. Every single day, I asked myself: Why am I still here?

In nine months, we were moved between three different shelters. I told my kids not to unpack. There was too much uncertainty to let them settle in.

When I finally heard about Anthos|Home, I didn’t believe it. After everything we had been through, I had completely given up. I went to see a few apartments with Anthos anyway, and I fell in love with the second one I saw.

I thought to myself: This is my home. This is my children’s home.

I still didn’t let myself believe it was real until I signed the lease. I didn’t even tell my children until moving day because there had been too many times before when it didn’t work out.

But this time, it did.

From day one, Anthos|Home made sure my family and I had beds to sleep in. A housing stability specialist checked in with me every month – making sure I understood my rights, and that I could renew my voucher and my lease. The support didn’t end at move-in.

I want to be honest with you about something. Navigating the voucher process without support felt like the Hunger Games. Too many people competing for too few apartments, brokers brushing me off when I mentioned the voucher, and shelter staff with too many responsibilities to balance.

Anthos|Home’s support made all the difference. Without Anthos|Home, I truly believe I’d still be in the shelter system. My children and I would still be waiting to unpack.

Tonight, we are home.

Now I can breathe better, and my children are seeing a new side of me. My daughters are doing well in school – one is graduating a year early, getting ready for junior prom, and plans to be a nurse – a conversation we never had while living in shelter.

My other daughter, who was struggling with school now has additional tutoring. She was just named student of the month. Now that we’re settled, I have the ability to support my son. My son and I are now taking school day by day, but I know on the days he needs to stay home, he can.

This is where you all come in. My story is one of thousands. With your help, we can get more families like mine into stable housing much more quickly and efficiently.

Thank you for believing that every New Yorker deserves a real home. And thank you for making the work of Anthos|Home possible.