A Client's Story

The Story of Irene:

Irene worked in a law firm for many years and loved her job. She worked tirelessly to support her family and to give her daughters Jasmine and Claire the safety and warmth of a family home. They loved sharing their home with Irene’s mother. For more than 30 years, it was a place of joy for Irene’s entire family. Often all six of her sisters would come over at night, hanging out, eating pizza and just shooting the breeze. They were a close family…a happy family…just like yours or mine.

A couple of years ago, Irene began to tire easily. Soon additional problems arose. She had aches and pains, infections, shingles — it was just one thing after another.  Then one night as Irene was home watching television all of a sudden she couldn’t breathe. She thought she was having an asthma attack. Not wanting to worry her family, Irene drove herself to the hospital.  After they took some tests, the doctors told her that she had PCP pneumonia— a type of pneumonia caused by AIDS.  Irene was not only shocked and devastated she was thoroughly confused because she had none of the risk factors for AIDS. As she sat taking in the doctor’s words, it suddenly and fearfully hit her. Ten years before, she had been raped. And AIDS was the tragic result.

Irene became so ill that she couldn’t work.  Bills went unpaid. Eventually the house went into foreclosure and after a lifetime of safety and security, Irene and her family lost their home.  Adding to the family’s pain, it looked as if Irene and her daughters would have to be separated just so they could survive.

As her life was disintegrating around her, Irene was lucky enough to receive information about Homefirst.  She called our Social Services staff, a call that would become a turning point in her life.  At Homefirst, she found a group of people who not only cared, but could actually help. She applied for housing and was introduced by our professional and caring staff to programs that would give her counseling, support and the necessary services to get her life back on track. Homefirst was able to offer Irene and her daughters permanent residency in one of our beautifully renovated and affordable homes. It was a truly a new beginning.

Today, Irene is doing well and is looking forward to the day when she can work again.  Her daughters are in college and studying hard. Irene and her girls may have lost a house, but with the support of Homefirst’s caring staff and generous donors and friends, they found a home and a new life—together.

Irene, Jasmine and Claire are among more than 30 families who are cared for and supported by Homefirst everyday. Hundreds more families in our community face homelessness each night. They need your help. We need your help to stop this crisis.

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