Jada came to her appointment with New Haven Home Recovery (NHHR) with her three-week old daughter strapped into her stroller. Jada was living at a family shelter when she was connected to NHHR.  She knew that this appointment could be the answer to finding stable housing.

Jada was relaxed and poised during the appointment, explaining that she was “…ready to get out of the shelter and move on with her life.”  Jada began to tell her story to while talking to NHHR staff:

Jada was a former 3^rdgrade teacher and gym instructor who suffered a devastating injury to her knee over a year ago. After surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation she was left in pain, and became addicted to prescription pain killers. Before long she was out of a job and her oldest child was removed from her home.  Jada was experiencing depression and a loss of self-esteem. To get back on her feet, Jada completed a drug treatment program and then moved into the shelter after losing her apartment when going into treatment.

Jada focused on three goals: to get her own apartment, find employment and get her older daughter back.  Through Neighbor-to-Neighbor Lifeline assistance, Jada received financial assistance that included a security deposit and three months of rental assistance.   

Two months after moving in to her new apartment, Jada had been accepted back to college to complete her Ph.D. in education. She is continuing her job search and hopes that the additional education will open more opportunities for her. Jada is also looking forward to having both her daughters under her roof again.

*Name of client has been changed for confidentiality.