A Homeless Grandmother Accesses Holistic Support from Community

For Joyce Wilson, a grandmother and caregiver to her 14-year-old grandson, life was a constant struggle before she found support through the 100 Families Initiative. The 100 Families Initiative is a collaboration of existing community resources for the purpose of moving families from crisis to stability and onto a career. Homeless, living in her car, and grappling with legal and financial obstacles, Joyce faced an uphill battle in her efforts to create a stable home for her family.

Many shelters could not accommodate them, and so they alternated between staying with family members and sleeping in her car. Her driver’s license had been suspended because of unresolved traffic violations, further hindering her ability to secure steady employment. Despite these setbacks, Joyce remained determined to find a path forward.

A network of community resources came together to help Joyce and her grandson overcome their challenges. The 100 Families Initiative connected her to resources in the following areas of care:

Housing: Temporary hotel vouchers were arranged through the City of Little Rock, and 100 Families expedited Joyce’s housing application with Madison Heights Apartments. Within just 15 days, she was able to move into a new home.

Transportation: Joyce connected with a court resolution team to address her traffic violations, setting her on the path to reinstating her driver’s license and regaining mobility. The Little Rock School District established a bus stop near Joyce’s new home, ensuring her grandson could attend school reliably.

Education and Financial Stability: Joyce enrolled in GED courses through the Pulaski County Special School District’s Adult Education program, while budget counseling services helped her develop financial stability.

Health: Benefit Solutions assisted Joyce in signing up for Medicaid, ensuring access to healthcare.

Joyce's transformation was made possible by the collaboration of various organizations. Each played a vital role in addressing Joyce’s immediate needs while equipping her with the tools to succeed in the long term.

Today, Joyce is steadily rebuilding her life. She has secured housing, resolved many of her legal issues, and is working toward completing her GED. In her own words, Joyce reflected on the journey:

"I never thought I would get back on my feet, but thanks to 100 Families and DWS-TANF, I now have hope and stability. My grandson and I finally have a home again, and I’m working on my future."

Joyce’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact of community-driven initiatives like 100 Families. By addressing barriers such as housing, legal issues, and education, participants experience the power of collective impact.