Families experiencing homelessness face unique challenges and often struggle to access and navigate necessary services and care. Housing stability and supportive care can make a life-changing impact on families experiencing unsheltered homelessness, and for individuals reentering their communities after being incarcerated. This month, we spotlight three families who experienced homelessness and housing insecurity, and share how Brilliant Corners worked with partners across the sector to provide the stability needed to keep these families together.
Felix and Yeremin’s Story
For Felix, Yemerin, and their two young children, housing instability meant spending long nights on public transit.
An encounter with a Long Beach Quality of Life Officer connected the family to LA County’s Metro Homeless Outreach Team and local support services. Metro, the Multi-Service Center, and partner organizations helped the family access essential services and a housing voucher through the LA County Department of Health Services’ Housing for Health program.
Brilliant Corners and Helpline Youth Counseling supported the family through their housing navigation process, and helped them sign a lease for their new home. We are so happy to share that Felix, Yemerin, and their children are now safely and stably housed.
Felix and Yeremin no longer have stress about where their family will sleep. Their story shows us how housing stability keeps families together, and how coordination across agencies can give families the care needed to thrive.
“Me da mucho gusto que todavia hay buena gente para ayudar a la gente.”
“It makes me happy that there are still good people out there willing to help other people.”
Martha’s Story
When Martha was first connected to Brilliant Corners, she was pregnant and struggling to find care after exiting the justice system. Martha needed support to find housing and start her next chapter. Before moving into her apartment, Martha shared that everyday she had asked herself, “what am I going to do today to make sure me and my kids are safe?”
Brilliant Corners not only helped Martha move into her own apartment, but through ongoing case management services, Martha receives the practical and emotional support she needs to feel secure about her family’s well-being. Martha no longer has to navigate the stress of uncertainty, now that she has a safe place for her and her kids.
Achieving stability has made room for Martha to pursue her degree so that she can become a counselor and help women find life-changing programs to reach their full potential.
“Brilliant Corners means to us a stable and open future. A loving future and a future that’s going to open a lot of doors for us. A future with less anxiety and more smiles.
Miranda’s Story
Miranda is a Veteran and single mother living in San Diego who is the sole provider for her son. Without a support system available to her, she struggled financially, and without a place to turn, Miranda and her son began living in their car.
Miranda connected to a local shelter who referred her to Brilliant Corners and the San Diego Flex Pool team. The staff at Brilliant Corners mobilized quickly, and provided Miranda with a Housing Coordinator to work closely with her and provide necessary housing navigation. Within a short time, Miranda’s team at Brilliant Corners identified an apartment that matched her needs. The housing team helped Miranda sign the lease on her new place.
Miranda is now able to have a home for her and her son, where she relishes the safety and stability of having a place to call her own.
“Being able to be sheltered and not have to be living in a car with my son is amazing.”