"Ellie's" Success Story

After leaving a bad marriage Ellie with one suitcase and the clothes on her back. While at The Shelter Closet getting clothes she was referred to The Shelter Alliance’s Case Manager who worked with her to get into Section 8 housing. She is now in an apartment and was helped in getting a scholarship to college to become a Medical Assistant. Her life has completely changed over the past year and now she hopes to give back.

In Her Own words.

“A year ago I left a bad marriage with only two suitcases and the clothes on my back. I was literally “homeless”. I was referred to The Shelter Alliance when I went to The Shelter Closet to get clothes. I felt the love from everyone there. After completing their application, I got a job and began the process of trying to get Section 8 Housing. Once again, someone from The Shelter Alliance went with me to help with the application process and also with the promise of paying the security deposit if and when an apartment became available. They provided free furniture too and helped me move in.

To have my own apartment was a blessing I could not have imagined a year later. But even with my job in the kitchen at a local nursing home, I found myself still struggling to make ends meet.

My case manager at The Shelter Alliance suggested I go for my CNA license so I could increase my salary. After a number of “ups and downs” (car repair, dental work, foot surgery and illness) I am finally poised to begin class in September for a Medical Assistant license on a full scholarship too. This is a step up from a CNA as my advisor suggested and would allow me to freelance in a doctor’s office for extra money. Going back to college in my 50’s is something I never thought was possible and now it’s about to become a reality.

I keep reaching for the stars and right now nothing seems impossible! I feel I have found a family in The Shelter Alliance and keep making new friends who continue to inspire me to do more than I could. My life is completely changed from a year ago. I hope and pray that when other people read my story they can see themselves between the lines and take the steps toward a better life. I want to help someone else out by inspiring them to stay positive no matter what happens along the way.”