My name is Michelle. My husband and I were in Safe Haven with our five children, and this is our story.
My family and I were living in an apartment complex in 2018, with a good low rental rate. It was affordable for us, and we were able to make ends meet. Then, things started to change around us. Nashville was growing, and the city was changing. New buildings were going up in our neighborhood. One day, we received a notice that our rent was about to increase. With our expenses, we knew we weren’t going to be able to stay. We tried to find other housing, but we couldn’t find anything affordable.
Time was running out, and we had nowhere to go. Everything we tried didn’t work, so we had to ask family for help.
We had to split up and stay with family members. My husband had two of our sons at his father’s house, and I had our other two sons with me at my sister’s house. I was pregnant with my baby girl, my fifth child, at this time. My pregnancy was so stressful—being split up from my husband was the hardest, and I just needed him. I felt like I wanted to be protected, and I was vulnerable. My husband was doing temporary agency work during
I was in the hospital in labor about to give birth, and my husband got the call that we had been hoping for—a call from Safe Haven. When he told me that we were accepted into the program, I felt such a sense of relief, knowing that we could bring our baby girl and boys into a safe place.
Walking into Safe Haven, I just knew we were going to be okay. That we were going to make it, that this was a transitional moment for us. Before, I was feeling hopeless. Were we going to have to separate to get back on solid ground?
Staying at Safe Haven gave us the feeling that we are going to be okay, that this was a temporary moment, that we are going to make it. Before, it was feeling as though we had no hope. What was going to happen. Were we going to have to separate to get back on our feet?
MICHELLE, MOTHER OF FIVEthis period, and it wasn’t enough to save, it just helped us to get by. My son was wrestling at school and it was hard to maintain the kids’ sports and activities. Our boys went to two different schools. This situation was so challenging, my husband taking our family van to work, juggling schedules, trying to do pickups and keep it all together. For our family not to have a routine was so difficult. My oldest was 15 and my youngest was 6 at the time this was all going on. I could tell my kids were worried, but they didn’t complain.
We knew that we could only stay with family for a short time, and the time came for us to find another solution. We ended up living in our van as we searched for a shelter. We were told about Safe Haven. We called and we hoped that we would get in. I was very close to my due date, and I was so worried about what we were going to do if we weren’t able to go. How were we going to do this with a newborn? How was this all going to work?
The staff was so helpful in so many ways—help with a job, with schoolwork, craft night, activities for the kids outside of school and birthday celebrations. It meant so much to us to have that support. My kids loved Safe Haven, it was a good transition for them. It gave them a sense of stability. It made them feel worthy. It made them feel good. They still ask to come back and visit. They ask about the other kids they met. Safe Haven really does make you feel like family, that you matter.
They also helped us discover resources that I didn’t know were there. They helped put smiles on my children’s faces. They kept confirming that it was all going to be okay.
I appreciate that Safe Haven understands how difficult it is to make it, especially when we only had one income for our family. They helped us with housing and we had enough time to save so we could keep our expenses going ourselves. When we found housing, we were happy. The kids were so excited to have their own space, and for all of us to finally breathe. We celebrated the holidays and have such great memories, especially of celebrating Christmas—in our own house.
Today, we are still in housing, and my husband and I are both working. Our children are thriving in school. Our oldest son is about to graduate. Two of the boys in junior high, taking part in activities like student council and band. Our youngest son is loving elementary school! Our baby girl is now in pre-k, and going to dance classes.
Looking back, I am grateful and thankful for everything that my family and I got from the program. I always felt the love of the staff and I knew that they were always looking out for us. I am so thankful and appreciative that Safe Haven was there in our time of need—we could not have asked for anything better.
Thank you for making stories like Michelle’s possible for the families we serve. Safe Haven, now more than ever, needs your help as the need for services is rising in our community. The need has increased from nearly 300 families asking for assistance in 2021 to over 450 families in 2022. Your support will ensure that families will have an answer in Safe Haven. May you and yours have a wonderful holiday season.
“ Time was running out, and we had nowhere to go.”
I am so thankful and appreciative that Safe Haven was there in our time of need—we could not have asked for anything better. ”
