“From a family that made it” Kiri’s Story

After navigating complex systems and refusing to give up at every systemic roadblock, Kiri and her family arrived at our Family Village Shelter in the spring of 2024. “When I started this journey…I was scared, I was tired, I felt alone. But once I got into Path Home I realized I got me and my babies to this next big step… Anything I put my mind to I can accomplish.”

Kiri was paired with Path Home’s Housing Specialist, Angi, who “supported, talked, uplifted, explained, and listened.” Kiri shared that “the motivation of being told I can do it and that I’m more than the stuff I’ve been through” was key to her success in finding housing.  

By summer, Kiri and her kids were approved for a subsidized unit and are receiving rent assistance for two years. This stability has opened the door for her to earn her GED and pursue opportunities that felt out of reach before.

Kiri describes the moment she moved into her new place: “When me and my babies walked into our new place seeing them running around, excited to have a home, made me content.” When she finally got furniture, curling up with her babies on their couch to watch movies gave her a true sense of home. Moments like these, simple but full of relief, are often what families celebrate most once housing brings stability.

The journey from experiencing homelessness to finding stability was not always straightforward, but Kiri never gave up. She continued to advocate for herself and her children and held onto hope, even when calm skies felt far away.

Kiri shared a message for other families on the same path:

“I know that times seem hard, unfair and scary, not knowing what tomorrow will bring – keep pushing, keep advocating, keep believing. The hardest storms to get through are the scariest, but the calm after the storm, the clear sky, fresh air gives you the lesson that storms don’t last forever. Rebuild the foundation, keep believing! From a family that made it!”

We have so much gratitude to Kiri for her resilient advocacy and for sharing her story. Her journey reminds us all that braving the storm is always worth it.