Northwest Assistance Ministries Helps Homeless Mom Get Fresh Start
By Brian Carr, Northwest Assistance Ministries
Shawnte worked at one of Houston’s large event venues. But when the pandemic hit, it was forced to close. Paychecks were late and her landlord was unforgiving. All four tenants were evicted, including Shawnte and her son, who was 11 at the time.
For more than two years Shawnte and her son were homeless, staying at hotels, with people they knew, or living outside. Finally in the summer of 2022, Shawnte heard about NAM.
She went through the assessment process—and was given the life-changing news that NAM could help. Shawnte’s case manager, Nikki, helped negotiate housing options, made sure Shawnte and her son had food, told her about vocational classes, and provided vouchers for NAM Resale.
“Ms. Nikki came through, and she made sure I didn’t break and I didn’t give up, because I wanted to, but she didn’t let me. I appreciate her from the bottom of my heart."
- NAM Client Shawnte
In October 2022, with help from NAM, Shawnte and her son moved into their own apartment. Finally, this mom and her now 13-year-old son have a safe place to call home. “It relieves a lot,” says Shawnte. “No more stress or worry, no more looking back. It gives me more time with my son, or to work, without worrying about someone trying to take from us.”
Today Shawnte is a supervisor at work, having been promoted three times. Her son is in advanced classes and doing well. “He’s kind of a science nerd like me,” says Shawnte. Together, they try to make the best of everything. And they are grateful for the compassion and real help NAM provided. “They were there for me mentally and emotionally,” Shawnte says. “Even outside the work that we were doing, they were just making sure I was okay. NAM looked at me as a little sister that needed help. It’s much appreciated, and I feel closer to them than I do to anybody else.”
NAM needs your help to continue housing families like Shawnte's. To honor NAM's 40th anniversary, our #40for40 campaign is hoping to raise at least $40 from supporters like you.
Many have nowhere to turn but to NAM and we cannot continue without your help. Please bless NAM and our neighbors in need, with your #40for40 contribution now. If not NAM, then who?
Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is a nonprofit, community-based, multi-program social service agency that strives to meet basic human needs through Neighbors Helping Neighbors. NAM provides assistance in areas including food, shelter, health, education, safety and financial education. Their service area covers over 660 square miles of northwest Harris County, an area with over 1,500,000 residents.
For more information about NAM, please visit namonline.org.
Source: NAM
