Keep Moving Forward

Heather*, mother of three

I decided that I wanted to make a change for me and my kids. I moved to Fond du Lac without any family or friends. I was determined to make a better life for us. I entered the Solutions Center Family House. I was scared and had no idea what I was going to do. I had a meeting with my case worker, Amy, and she said, “if you don’t talk to me, how can I help you?” So, I did. I finally had somebody that was there for me. The next day I enrolled my kids in school and daycare, signed up for the back to school program and enrolled myself for w2 were I got my home health care license. And that was only the beginning.

At the back to school program I saw a sign that said “Getting Ahead.” I thought – that’s what I’m trying to do and I signed up. Within a month I had a full time job and met some amazing people who encouraged me. I had the support of the whole Solution Center staff, St. Vincent de Paul “Getting Ahead” staff, the hometown transportation company and the staff and Forward services.

Every morning I would get up at 6am, make breakfast for me and my kids, walk my oldest son to his bus stop by 7:10am and then run 2 blocks with a 3-month and 4-year old to catch the bus at 7:15 drop them off at daycare and walk 6 blocks to class. And at 3pm I had to pick them up and go home. I did this everyday for about a month. One day a lady from the shelter told me that everyday she had been watching me and I gave her so much will power to do what she needed to do for her and her family.

After a few months in a studio apartment, I signed a lease for a four bedroom house and have been living there since. During this whole process the Solutions Center was right there. They became my family. To this day I’m still working, I’m still living in my house and I do a lot of volunteer work to give back and let others know that you might be down now, but you can pick yourself up. Like the movie “Meet the Robinsons” say “Keep moving Forward”. This is what the Solutions Center has help me with and can help you!