Linda found the love to recover from a fire

Devastated from a fire that destroyed her family’s apartment and hospitalized her for a month, Linda did not know where to turn. She said, “I think I was in shock from the fire and just didn’t know what to do.” For the first time in her life, Linda had no home to offer shelter — she was frantic because she has a teenage daughter named Holly. Sadly, right after the fire, Linda also lost her section 8 housing, which meant she could not afford other housing.

For the past year, couch-surfing with friends and sometimes strangers became the new norm for Linda and Holly. Life was hard — at one home where she stayed, Linda was robbed of what little money she had left. Linda said after being robbed that she was, “tired and desperate for any sort of safe place to stay.” That’s when Linda sought help from Mary’s Place.

Mary’s Place was able to put Linda and her daughter in their rotating family shelter four months ago. What’s more, Linda’s life improved dramatically this week as an attorney secured section 8 housing for her pro bono. What a dream come true for this homeless family! Linda is now full of hope as she looks for a new home for her family. When Linda was asked what Mary’s Place means to her, her eyes filled with tears as she replied, “Mary’s Place means love and compassion–­that’s it, especially love…just so much love, so much love, that I am so grateful for.”

Thank you Molly, Lee, Thomas, Angela, Natalie, and Kelly for helping bring families the love that gets them through tough times.