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At the beginning of 2010, *Pamela turned to her pastor for help. Five years after her husband had left, she and her 6-year-old daughter were still homeless.  Her temporary stay with family had stretched into years and the situation was deteriorating rapidly.  While she worked full-time as a teacher’s aide for autistic children, the pay wasn’t enough to be on her own.  After some research, her pastor introduced her to Bridge of Hope of York County (Pa.) and she applied.    

“I had a strong desire to survive.  And Bridge of Hope’s goal is to set you up for success,” says Pamela, who moved to her own apartment in February with some temporary rental assistance - a key part of the Bridge of Hope model.  “I’ve seen such a difference in my daughter since we moved in – she feels safe, she can be herself.  The other day she said, ‘Mommy, I just love saying - I’m going home!’”

 Bridge of Hope of York County is also providing case management services in the areas of budgeting and employment.  The goal?  To support Pamela’s deep desire to provide permanent housing for her daughter and to build long-term financial stability for her family through employment.

 “One of the things I love about the program is sitting down with Tammi [staff from Bridge of Hope of York County].  We do research together and then we set goals and have target dates,” says Pamela.  “I already have a summer job lined up - my goal is to pay off my car so I have extra money for rent.  And I am looking at the hours and pay of jobs in the medical field.  At 41, I may be going back to school!

 “Before we had our apartment, I remember praying over our situation with my daughter.  ‘Why is God taking so long?’, she used to ask.  I told her, ‘God must be working on something wonderful.’  Like the Bible says, ‘Hope does not disappoint us.’” 

*Full name withheld for reasons of confidentiality.