The Shelter Alliance Addresses The Many Faces Of Homelessness: "Nanna's" Story

Every local educational agency in Maryland is required to report data on the number of students experiencing homelessness identified every school year. Over the 2024-2025 school year126 youth were identified as homeless. Kent County is now second only to Baltimore City in the rate of increase of this population.

Inidividuals and families who are experiencing housing insecurity find themselves in a range of situations. Some lack shelter altogether, some live in cars, others couch surf. Some share dwellings where their numbers exceed occupancy and others live in temporary housing or shelters.   Fortunately, The Shelter Alliance has been able to help a number of individuals and families achieve independent, stable lives.

A previous article included “LaChelle’s” story which described what she and her two children experienced. With the help of The Shelter Alliance the 6 year-old is now in a new school with new friends. The 19 year-old is now gainfully employed in a management position and with the help of The Shelter Alliance is working towards getting his driver’s license while he is saving up for a car. Now that they have achieved stability, “LaChelle” wants to give back, to help others in need.

“Nanna” represents a very different situation. She is a 71 year-old woman who has a service dog that helps her due to her disabilities. Here is her story in her own words.

“I had been living in a trailer park in Church Hill for 26 years. I lived there with my service dog, Robin, and two senior cats. About 6 months ago, without warning, I was notified that the property I had been renting for my trailer was scheduled for development with a new road going through the property. In short, I was being evicted. Though I had some financial resources, the scope and suddenness of my plight with no solution in sight threw me into immediate mental depression and physical decline. Of immediate concern were the following questions:

1.    Where would I live?

2.    How and where could I get the help necessary to move? I had no family in the area and also had a bad back.

3.    What would become of my pets?

4.    Could I find an apartment I could afford that would accept a Service Dog?

Fortunately, I found the folks at 7^th Day Adventist Church in Chestertown. They immediately “took me under their wing” and helped me to begin the process of relocation which took the better part of 6 months. They helped me pack, rent a POD and move the POD when my apartment became available.

The Shelter Alliance stepped in to assist with food and the application process for housing that would accommodate my dog. Lots and lots of paperwork and several meetings were necessary to which I needed transportation. Folks at The Shelter Alliance helped me unpack and set up my new place. They even trimmed the bushes so that I could look out my window.

I had been so isolated but now my calendar is full. I have been welcomed as a new member of the 7^th Day Adventist Church and even play the organ there. A member of The Shelter Alliance is a “foster parent” to my dog if something happens to me. Recently, I was able to get a motorized wheelchair which has really increased my independence significantly. I can shop in town in good weather and ride with my dog in my lap to a local park. I would never have imagined that my life would have become so wonderful from what it was 6 months ago. I can’t wait to give back and see what comes next. I have so much to look forward to.”

This is another example of how The Shelter Alliance’s case management program has helped these individuals develop and implement a life plan towards self-sufficiency.

Contributions help support our case management program. The Shelter Alliance is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. To make a contribution please make checks payable to “Mid-Shore Community Foundation” with “Shelter Alliance” in the memo line. Mail your check to The Shelter Alliance, P.O. Box 2, Chestertown, MD  21620.