GUEST BLOG: Living in the cycle of homelessness

Editor’s note: Julia Cooley is a 33-year-old homeless mother with a 4-year-old son, Josiah. She works as a teacher’s assistant in metro-Atlanta and has been homeless for three years. She writes about her struggles to create a stable life for herself and her son.

Homelessness is a cycle that can sometimes seem impossible to break. Just shy of my 30th birthday, I found myself swept into this vicious cycle. In a matter of weeks I went from being a single mother/student to a client with a caseload number that would act as my social security number as long as I am considered to be homeless.

Sitting at a large table filling out an encyclopedia-like intake packet while my 2-year-old son played with toys, I replied no to question after question. The application asked if I would allow this particular agency to place me and my son’s information into some type of database that maintains records of the services that a client receives, with the ultimate goal to help lead the us back to self-sufficiency. 

Self-sufficiency is defined as the ability to provide for yourself without the help of others. I could not provide for me or my son. My family was in no position to help us financially or to provide housing.

I can admit that having to face that reality made me resentful and angry. I wanted to be mad at everyone. But that only made things worse. That rebellion only made it harder for me to be placed in the program that was suitable to my needs. I needed stable housing, childcare for my son, and a job. (In that order.) 

A friend referred me to Our House. Our House is an early learning center that offers free childcare services to families experiencing homelessness. But that is just page one of the brochure. There is also transportation assistance, housing referrals, medical services, and a Childcare Development Program that trains parents to work in any childcare setting. All these services are offered to help families reach self-sufficiency.

I started out as a parent volunteer in the kitchen and then entered the Childhood Development Associate (CDA) program. I am now full-time staff! My son and I still don't have a place of our own, but due to our relationship with Our House, we are that much closer to being self-sufficient. 

As my journey continues, I am saving for an apartment. I would like to continue my early childhood education, and my favorite goal - buy transportation to help with our morning commute. I would like to thank the staff, board, teachers, donors, volunteers, and all the people who work hard to ensure that the doors of Our House are always open.

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