05/27/2026
Our resident has been approved for housing. The section 8 inspection is tomorrow. As long as it passes inspection, she will be able to sign her lease and move in. I have to be totally honest, I cried when she told me. I am so happy for her. She has totally been our absolute best resident. No issues at all. This woman has busted her butt since she came in to the Stepping Stone. This is the same woman that begged for a job and survival gear while living in a tent and hauling everything she owned in a wagon. She came to get a shower every single day. She asked me "How do you get the golden key?".. I didnt know what that meant. So she explained that the homeless say that people get "the golden key" to be able to come through our program. I just looked at her and said, "Well, Linda, if you want a golden key, I will give you one.". I knew at that point she would not pass a drug test, but her eagerness to save herself made me take her to the house and get her settled in. "We will drug test in 5 days." She never left the house for almost 2 weeks after coming in. And from day 5 and since then, she has passed every drug test! The first test we did, she cried because it had been 2 years since she was able to pass a drug test. She got a job within a month, and I took her and picked her up every day. She loves her job! She had a car donated to her, so is now able to be self reliable. She has paid her $400 a month program fee, which has been locked in a safe in a money saving book, which she will get back the day she graduates 🎓 We never want them to leave without a nest, incase they need a new car, repairs, etc, a rainy day fund so to speak. She has collected everything she needs, as far as I know, through your generous donations, dumpster diving, and winning things at the quarter auction. She has been feeding those that are banned from other places, sitting patiently while they get showers, and making sure they get their mail. For someone who lived that life out there, to never forget where they come from, speaks volumes. To be able to be around addicts and have no desire to go back to that life, also speaks volumes about her willpower and determination. I could not possibly be more proud of her. She has become my very good lifetime friend. She encourages others to want better, and who doesnt need a friend like that? Though all the positive things are happening for her, I felt a huge emptiness in my soul. I am so happy and proud of her, but part of me is filled with heartbreak knowing she is our last resident. This has been an emotional roller-coaster, to say the least.
Linda, we love you dearly. You have went above and beyond to save yourself, and help others along the way! You need to hold that head high sweetheart, because you took the opportunity with your golden key 🔑, and ran with it without even thinking about giving up or getting side tracked. We are so so so proud of you! We love you!! ❤️
