1 R
Special Advertising Section
| SUNDAY,
APRIL 17, 2016
5
“I lost everything,” Eliza said, in tears. “My
family came apart. I had no money, no job,
nowhere to live.”
Eliza had grown up in an abusive family,
living a childhood regularly shattered by fear.
When she married, she promised herself
things would be different; that domestic vio-
lence would be a thing of the past. But Eliza’s
resolve and more than a decade of trying
to make her marriage work weren’t enough
to protect her from the same abuse she had
witnessed as a child.
When she finally found the courage to
leave, Eliza was scared and exhausted, and
the strain of her home life had left her deeply
depressed and sick. The thought of starting
over was terrifying.
Eliza and her 10-year-old daughter found
refuge — and a new start — in a Hopelink
shelter. A safe, welcoming place to live was a
relief, but a roof over their heads was only a
first step. As expected of all families in Hope-
link housing, Eliza began meeting weekly
with her case manager — setting goals, map-
ping out a plan for her future and regularly
tracking her progress.
She quickly landed a job in a restaurant,
and although the sometimes seven-day
work week was physically tiring, Eliza never
wavered in her commitment to build a better
life for her family. She was on a path out of
poverty.
Within six months, Eliza had found a new
full-time job in childcare, paid off a car loan
and other debts, and saved enough to move
into her own apartment with her daughter.
Eliza says that for the first time in her life,
she feels she can support herself, and she is
no longer defined by her past.
“It wasn’t easy, but the hardest part is
behind me now,” she said. “If it wasn’t for
Hopelink, I wouldn’t have been able to do
what I have.”
Happy endings similar to Eliza’s happen
every day at Hopelink. The organization’s
solid network of services is twofold: ensur-
ing stability for those in crisis, and helping
those who are stable acquire the skills and
knowledge they need to exit poverty. With
service centers throughout King County,
Hopelink helped more than 64,000 people
last year.
Youngmomfinds a new life at Hopelink
Hopelink
For more information about Hopelink,
visit
.
“If it wasn’t for
Hopelink, I wouldn’t
have been able to
do what I have.”
ELIZA
Single mom
TO
Give Big to Hopelink
on
May 3
and help
transform lives
Be part of
something
2.25 5,000 600
million meals provided
homes heated
adults workforce ready
64,400
lives changed
