During Economic Mobility Month, ECS is reflecting on and sharing the ways community members and participants use our programs and resources to better their lives. This installment highlights the impact of ECS’ Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program through the story of Erickah.
Erickah came in to ECS as an Achieving Reunification Center (ARC) family, meaning her son was in DHS custody and housing was one of the last goals to achieve for her to be reunited with him. Her first impression was the level of compassion and warmth emanating from ECS staff. She felt welcomed into a community which would support her in reaching her goal of not only securing stable housing, but also building a home for her and her son.
The RRH program uses a coaching model to equip participants with the tools necessary to set and achieve their goals. With the support of the RRH program, Erickah was able to quickly receive custody of her son and has made it her priority to help him adjust, support him, and get him engaged in programs. When she first moved into her apartment, she felt fear.
“It was all very new to me. I had never had my own place before and I was scared. More than that, I knew that it would all be very new to my son.”
On the day of reunification, all her fears fell away, and she discovered what home meant for her.
“Warmth. Family. Love. That is what home means to me.”
Erickah has achieved many goals and milestones during her time in RRH, including working actively on an educational goal, achieving a better paying full-time job at a Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation facility, paying off debts, and celebrating 2 years of sobriety. She participates in every ECS program that she hears about, committing herself to trying new things and sustaining stability.
Erickah has shown how resilient she can be as life throws her different challenges. She remains on track to be permanently housed once she is discharged. When she reflects on ECS, she thinks of how it showed her the meaning of warmth and compassion. She has made it her mission to always carry that with her in the place she calls home.