Homeless, unemployed, and still carrying the weight of domestic violence, Sharon felt broken. Her world had unraveled, and she knew she needed help—not just for herself, but for her children.
In the face of so much instability, her community stepped in. A church member extended an invitation: Sharon and her children could stay with her, just until they found their footing. It was a moment of grace, a temporary refuge in the storm. When their time in that home came to an end, Sharon and her children turned to the Salvation Army shelter. When they could no longer stay there, they bounced between friends' couches—one night here, another night there—never sure where they’d lay their heads next.
Everything was temporary and it was hard to see any kind of stability for her future. Still, Sharon refused to give up.
In October 2023, Sharon enrolled in the 100 Families Initiative, a network of agencies and providers who collaborate to help families in crisis.
Sharon was connected to the Texarkana, Arkansas Housing Authority and assisted through the application process for housing. In July 2024, after months of uncertainty, she received the call: they had been selected for an apartment. For the first time in a long time, she and her children had a place to call home. Today, they’ve been stably housed for a year.
Though she searched for work, her declining physical health made it more and more difficult to hold a job. She has since applied for disability and is in the middle of a long process—attending doctor’s appointments and gathering the documentation she needs.
Sharon also sought healing in other ways. She received a year of counseling from Community Healthcore, a critical step toward recovery. Now, both she and her children are continuing that journey together through Southwest Arkansas Community Mental Health Counseling.
Sharon’s story is one of perseverance, of a mother doing everything she can to rebuild after crisis—for herself and for her children.
Smart Justice is a magazine, podcast, and continuing news coverage from the nonprofit Restore Hope and covers the pursuit of better outcomes on justice system-related issues, such as child welfare, incarceration, and juvenile justice. Our coverage is solutions-oriented, focusing on the innovative ways in which communities are solving issues and the lessons that have been learned as a result of successes and challenges.
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