Client Spotlight: Shelley’s Story
Interfaith helped Shelley and her family rebuild their lives and find a home!
Shelley* grew up in Hawaii where she met her ex-husband, and they moved to WA after she graduated college. But by early 2020, and in the early stages of recovery, she met Tommy at a sober house in Snohomish County. Despite concerns about his abusive behavior, Shelley’s infant child and dependency needs made it difficult for her to break away from him— especially when Tommy promised to care for them. Besides, Tommy always found her when she did try to escape.
They moved to the east coast in search of a better life, but returned to WA when Shelley became pregnant again. Her efforts to work stable jobs were soon thwarted by the high cost of childcare, and being unable to leave Tommy at home with the children. Eventually, the family lost their Seattle apartment due to Tommy’s addiction, and found themselves living in their car and later in a tent off Green Lake (Feb 2024). She recalls that Tommy often left her and the now three young children for days at a time—he would break her phone so that she could not contact friends or family.
I’m definitely stronger after a few months of being at Interfaith. I could not have done all this alone and been able to get housed within 90 days by myself.
Shelley finally escaped to a motel through DSHS and a navigator. But Tommy found her, and this time it was particularly ugly: he dislocated her jaw, fractured her cheekbone, and threatened to take their lives. Then the police intervened and arrested him—Shelley and the children were finally safe! That’s when they came to the Interfaith Family Shelter. She struggled to adjust to normalcy and leave the constant fear behind. She persevered “for the kids,” and worked diligently with our case manager to get housing and find a job.
We are proud to serve clients like Shelley and her young family (4, 3 and 2 years, respectively) and provide the resources and space for them to rebuild their lives from trauma. Shelley recently received the keys to her very own housing unit in Snohomish County, and her hard work is paying off. She is a measure of true resiliency.
“I’m definitely stronger after a few months of being at Interfaith,” she says. “I could not have done all this alone and been able to get housed within 90 days by myself.”
*Names and some details changes to protect client confidentiality.
Does your family – or a family you know – need emergency shelter and a pathway out of homelessness?
Let us know, and we can reach out if a unit becomes available.
