Tonya’s Story: Have Child. Need Home.
– March 16, 2018 –
Tonya* gave birth to her little boy in the Silverdale Hospital. She named him Jacob. The next day she moved into a women’s shelter called Georgia’s House.
While she was pregnant Tonya had been homeless. She was trying to escape her son’s dad and had exhausted all her options with her family. She couch surfed with friends while looking for work. “No one would hire me because I was pregnant.”
“No one would hire me because I was pregnant.”
At Georgia’s House Tonya met a girl who introduced her to The Coffee Oasis. When she sat down with Jon, an Oasis Case Manager, she had two goals: get housing and get a job. Tonya wanted a stable life for Jacob and herself.
Tonya and Jon set to work. It wasn’t easy, but Tonya was determined. “I’ve been on my own since I was 19, so it’s not something new. It’s just harder with a baby.” Jon connected Tonya with a Back to Work program. She got a job at Habitat for Humanity, then moved into a position at a consignment store. She now has a stable income for herself and Jacob!
“I’ve been on my own since I was 19, so it’s not something new. It’s just harder with a baby.”
Housing has been a rougher road. After three months Tonya moved out of Georgia’s House and in with a friend, but her friend kicked her out. Then she moved into an affordable apartment with several other renters, but a firm in Seattle bought the complex. The roommates now have three months to find new housing before they have to move out.
“I just want to give hope to other kids.”
Tonya admits that sometimes she struggles to feel like a good mom to Jacob. But Jon encourages her, reminding her of how much she has accomplished. As housing continues to be a struggle for so many homeless and low-income youth, Tonya hopes her story can be an inspiration. “I just want to give hope to other kids. If after all this turmoil and with a baby I can do this, then other kids definitely can.”
*name changed to respect youth’s identity
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