A single mom of three small children, Rachelle worked full-time to make ends meet. However, a full-time job did not provide enough income to sustain her family’s living expenses. With the added cost of summer childcare, her financial situation soon spiraled downward. Unable to pay one month’s rent, Rachelle’s family was evicted from their apartment. They moved in with relatives into cramped living quarters, where they slept on couches.

Rachelle and her family sought help from HomeStretch after hearing about the agency from a teacher at the children’s school. They came to HomeStretch with nowhere else to turn. Since that time, they have made great strides toward regaining stability. Working closely with her budget advisor, she successfully reduced her debt and established a savings account. With the help of her family coordinator, she took control of her future by learning how to make better life decisions.

Rachelle and her family are truly a HomeStretch Success story. This past March, they were selected for a Habitat home. Through her hard work and commitment to financial recovery, Rachelle is finally achieving the ultimate goal for her family—self-sufficiency.

The following is a letter Rachelle read at a HomeStretch Volunteer Appreciation Dinner:

Sometimes I feel like I’m dreaming…

I remember sitting in the car with my children at my daughter’s school parking lot. We were late, again. We had already been late too many times for the past couple of weeks.

The reason we were late so many times was because I had to drive from Norcross to Roswell to get my daughter to school.

The reason I had to drive from Norcross to Roswell was because I was living in my sister’s home and had nowhere else to go.

The reason I had nowhere else to go was because my family was evicted from our home.

I was so embarrassed, trying to hide our situation from as many people as possible. I feared that if my daughter’s school found out, they wouldn’t allow my daughter to attend there any longer. However, that day was the day I realized I had to tell our secret. I sat there for a moment in our car and told my daughter that she might have to go to another school. I told her that we had to pray about it. I felt like we may be able to find a place within that school district so she could stay. But if I couldn’t find a place close, she would have to change schools. I said, “If we pray, we will receive what is best”. We prayed together in the car that day. That day was the day I learned that I am a part of a loving community.

When I told my daughter’s teacher about our situation, the best thing happened. She did some research and in time, told me about a local program called HomeStretch that helps families who are in need of housing. After meeting with Ellen Fox, I thought the program sounded too good to be true. I continued to pray for the best. When I found out I was accepted in the HomeStretch program, I knew I was in God’s hands. I remember meeting the Executive Director, Sue Sharp, and when she hugged me, she was so happy just to meet me. I could see it in her eyes. I met my sponsors from the Roswell Women’s Club and when I saw our new home I was so happy. These women were very sincere and did a beautiful job fixing up our new place, making sure we were comfortable and felt at home.

I’ve been a participant of the HomeStretch program for 6 months now and it continues to feel very good and very true. Since I’ve been in the HomeStretch program, I have learned a lot about myself and the situation I put myself in that allowed us to be evicted. Besides strengthening my faith in God and having a safe roof over my family’s head, the most awesome thing is happening with my financial situation. I never before felt a spiritual connection with my financial situation, but I am now convinced that it does exist that way. Last Sunday I attended a church whose pastor’s sermon was about finances. He talked about the way people spend their money. He said that some spend without thinking, unconsciously planning for debt. These people usually live with debts from the past. Some people spend when they see something new, thinking they need this right now. These people live with what they have in the present. Others spend their extra money on getting rid of debts while putting some away to save and grow. These people are living and planning for what they will have in the future. Six months ago (and years before that) I was somewhere between the two “some people”. I would plan to spend my money a certain way, but when something new came along or something unplanned, I spent money on it, sometimes creating a new budget on the spot or in my head. Thanks to the Grace of God and HomeStretch, I am now the “other people”. HomeStretch and the women of Roswell have been so good to me. They have worked with me to lower my living expenses and helped me create a realistic budget so I could pay my debt, pay my bills and save money. This is the first time I’ve had a savings account, and the first time I’ve experienced paying bills early. I have been able to focus more on enjoying my children and my work and I’ve been introduced to a wonderful, supportive community.

The pastor also mentioned the art of giving. As children of God, we have to keep in mind to invest in God’s projects. I give thanks that I have so many resources that allow me to help others without taking away from my family. Seeing the HomeStretch staff, the volunteers and their families help so many other families and work so hard is such an inspiration to me and my children. I tell my children how special they are because they want to help us and they are working from their hearts. This, as the pastor said, will give them the greatest interest rate on their returns.

I will soon be transitioning out of the HomeStretch program and into permanent housing, and I keep telling myself that it is not a dream; it’s real. The people in the HomeStretch organization have been a great blessing to me and my family. Not only have they provided temporary housing and financial counseling for us, but they have helped me regain my self-confidence in my ability to support and provide for myself and my children. I am honored that I was asked to share my experience, and look forward to continuing what I have learned regarding my spiritual and financial progress and giving back to the community however God sees fit.

Give Thanks for you all!

Love,
The McElhannon Family