Strangers Can Love You

After separating from her partner, Ayanna and 4-year-old Raymond spiraled into a world of unknowns: where would they live? Who would hire her? How could she provide for her son with special needs while working?

When she found Bridge of Hope, Ayanna and the staff searched for housing for months before finally finding a landlord who was open to renting to Bridge of Hope families, and is conveniently near Ayanna’s Neighboring Volunteers.

One of the biggest obstacles Ayanna faced was finding childcare for Raymond. Most programs were full or required a full-time aide for children with special needs. But there aren’t enough to meet the demand. It took several more months after moving into housing before finding a school that didn’t require additional support.

Ayanna was also able to find employment at the school, where she’ll have advancement opportunities to earn child development certifications and receive better pay. She feels so blessed they are on the same schedule, and there aren’t additional childcare costs when school is closed.

“It was a big weight off my shoulders” Ayanna said. “I knew Bridge of Hope would be there to help while I increased my income and found childcare.”

Her Neighboring Volunteers have been very consistent in supporting Ayanna and Raymond. She didn’t have a lot of support from her own family, but her group of Neighboring Volunteers, including their children, showed up on move-in day and made sure the family settled into their new home.

They also encouraged Ayanna when things were difficult, providing friendship and celebrating her successes with her. They offered to pray for her, brought her meals – a real surprise since no one had ever done that before, and threw birthday parties for both Ayanna and Raymond.

“One time I told them that I was sad, and they brought me flowers and cookies,” Ayanna remembered. “They are just the greatest.”

“Strangers can love you,” she said. “They have changed my life.”

Ayanna has dreams to eventually buy a home. She knows this is possible now that she has the support and encouragement to help her believe in herself and provide for her son and their future.

Looking back over her time in Bridge of Hope, Ayanna recognizes how different and more hopeful her life is now. “You never know what can change in a year,” she said. Through new independence and stability, both Ayanna and Raymond are happier and more optimistic. “Now I can be the mom I want to be,” she said.

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Strangers Can Love You