Derica said yes to some friends who needed help. It cost her everything. She and her 11-year-old son found themselves homeless with a baby on the way.
It was a simple request from friends Derica cared about, “Can you watch our dog while we’re on vacation?”
Headed out of the country, her friends wanted to be sure their dog was in good hands because she was soon going to deliver a litter of puppies. “They dropped the dog off, and she started having puppies the next day!”
Just like that, Derica, who was expecting a baby and caring for her 11-year-old, was up to her ears in puppies while also working as an in-home caregiver.
No pets allowed.
Derica’s lease was clear . . . pets were not allowed on the property. Not even one dog was allowed, much less a wriggling pile of newborn puppies! So, when her landlord stopped by and saw the dogs, Derica was told she would have to move when the lease was up.
“It wasn’t a good time for me financially because I was pregnant,” Derica says. “I just lost one of my clients, so it was hard to hurry up and move. It actually costs more to get into something new than it does to stay where you are. There’s the first month’s rent, last month’s rent, the security deposit . . . you need like $5,000 just to move in.”
No home and a baby on the way.
LifePath said yes to this family with no home. Shortly after their warm welcome, Derica’s baby arrived. The family is now comfortable, safe, and Derica is actively working on next steps so they can live independently as a family unit.
Most shelters aren’t set up for families, so males and females are often split into different facilities. LifePath understands a family in crisis needs to be unified and has made many changes to ensure a family like Derica’s can stay together in our Flex Family Shelter.
“My experience here has been good. The staff are good to me,” Derica says. “The resources to get housing have been really helpful. It’s not home, but it’s still comfortable. Living day to day in a safe space with people you like makes the days a little bit easier.”
A Thank-You to LifePath Donors
Derica wants donors to know she is deeply thankful for the help she has received. “LifePath is helping women and children, helping people change their lives. They offer clothing, food, hygiene products, and everything. It’s really helping people, giving them a chance to have a safe place to sleep, creating a steppingstone to moving forward and getting back out into the community and an independent life.”
Thank you for your support that helps families with children find emergency services, plus the tools and encouragement they need to begin again!
