Kathryn's Story: Perseverance

Yesterday was a special day. A donor stopped in with a bagful of necessities for the homeless women and children we serve.

A year ago, this particular donor sat on the receiving end of a similar donation, perhaps a gift you made. A year ago, Kathryn was homeless.

Kathryn owned her own business as an interior designer. She put in long hours and creativity to build a business she took pride in. Outside work, her family was her greatest joy. She would regularly sacrifice for their happiness. Yet all was not well.

Her husband didn’t work, and all too quickly, he had burned through her assets, bankrupting her business and their personal accounts. He became physically abusive and prevented her from practicing her religion, having friends, and even visiting her college-age children.

Kathryn was completely alone. Out of money, low on hope, and not knowing where to turn, Kathryn escaped from her husband and enrolled in Women’s Empowerment.

“I was looking for a program to help me re-establish myself so I could get out on my own,” she explains.

Once enrolled in our program, Kathryn received an array of holistic services. “I took advantage of all the opportunities offered to me,” she says. This included domestic violence counseling and parenting classes, where she learned how to be a better parent. She also enjoyed the fitness and nutrition classes, which helped her to feel healthy inside and out—for the first time in a very long time.

Importantly, Kathryn received help updating her resume, honing her computer skills, and practicing new interview techniques.

This combination of tools for her mind, body, and spirit truly helped Kathryn begin anew.

“I have such a full life now,” beams Kathryn.

The inner determination she discovered at Women’s Empowerment paid off when, after a 10-month search, Kathryn landed a full-time position that she loves. She became the newest Keyholder at a local Goodwill Industries Store. She is working out regularly, eating a healthy diet, and living with her daughter. She has also found a church family through Calvary Christian Center. As she rebuilds the credit her husband once destroyed, she is saving money with the hopes of renting her own apartment later this year. 

Even in this economy, women like Kathryn who complete our program are finding jobs. It may take a little longer, but with the skills they are developing, they stand out.

At work, Kathryn is shining, and recently set goals to one day become a store manager.

Her supervisor and store manager, Margaret, speaks highly of Kathryn’s work ethic. “She is very energetic, thorough, organized, and detail-oriented. She grasps everything very quickly,” she says.

A year ago, Kathryn would not have dared to dream so big for herself. She says, “In a negative environment, you don’t realize you can set—let alone accomplish—goals for yourself.

“At Women’s Empowerment, it was the first time I set personal goals—and then followed through on them. It made me feel like I could actually accomplish something. Once you’ve done that, you want to keep setting goals and accomplishing them.”

Just last week, Kathryn reached her newest dream and was promoted to Assistant Store Manager. She is thrilled with her new responsibility.

Today, Kathryn seeks to share her success with other homeless women. Even as she is saving, she makes philanthropy a priority.

“Being able to give back is supportive to me,” she says. It gives her a sense of pride and accomplishment. It is one more element in her very full life.

Please help other women accomplish their dreams. Will you match Kathryn’s contribution with an additional gift of your own? I thank you for your ongoing kindness. Women like Kathryn truly benefit from your good will.