Looking back, Tinasia describes her brief experience with homelessness as a blessing in disguise. If the pregnant mom of three did not face some of the challenges she faced, she wouldn’t have opened herself to the life-transforming help at Samaritan House.
“I feel like things were able to work in my favor,” she shared from her furnished apartment in Denver. “This has been a learning process. You know, if that situation didn’t happen, then I wouldn’t have learned the things I learned. Everything happens for a reason.”
The hardships began when the father of her youngest left their apartment.
“I was paying a lot in rent there, and things quickly went downhill for me,” she shared.
She moved into a friend’s basement in October, but after a month, Tinasia knew it was time to move on. With no place to go, she began calling local shelters for resources.
One night, she slept in her car with her daughter. Her other two children were staying with their father. She called the Samaritan House emergency line and received temporary hotel vouchers until a room became available on the family floor.
Samaritan House welcomed Tinasia and her family with open arms in December.
The downtown shelter—run by Catholic Charities of Denver—provides single women, families and veterans with safe shelter, nutritious food, clothing and housewares, emotional support and case management to regain stability and find affordable housing.
She felt relief getting access to diapers and baby wipes for her 2-year-old. She shopped for interview clothes in the warehouse and found a new job. Her daughter thrived participating in the children’s activities offered on the family floor and was ecstatic receiving Christmas gifts. Tinasia felt immense emotional support from the staff wellness counselor and gratitude when staff surprised her with a birthday gift in January for her 30th birthday.
“That’s what really warmed my heart,” she shared. “They have so many resources and support systems and groups. If you really apply yourself and you really want the help, it’s there.”
Tinasia said her children and the new baby girl she’s expecting are her greatest motivation to stay stable and save more money. She found an apartment in Denver, moved out of Samaritan House and is giving her children an example of perseverance and hard work.
“I would definitely encourage people to go to the Samaritan House to get their life back on track,” she said with a smile.