Homelessness News
08-28-2017 · Homelessness · Making Wages Work
Lavonna’s Story:
From Homelessness to Homeowner
After working as a nurse for 18 years, Lavonna McKoy broke her knee. The demands of a nursing career were too much for her injury, and eventually she lost her job. As she struggled to make ends meet, Lavonna ultimately lost her home.
At the time, she felt defeated. She remembers her children telling her that she had “lost her fight.” This motivated Lavonna to push forward. In her search for assistance, she found United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Financial Capability Network.
Achieving Financial Stability by Making Wages Work
At the time, Lavonna was still in transitional housing and was eager to regain her independence. After realizing that her low credit score did not qualify her to buy a house, Lavonna sought financial coaching through Making Wages Work, a program within the Financial Capability Network. Using what she learned, Lavonna opened a bank account and started making timely payments on her credit card. Slowly, her credit score climbed and in December of 2016, Lavonna achieved her dream of buying a house.
Paying It Forward
Today, Lavonna works as a contractor with United Way, primarily serving women and children in Clayton County. She was approached about the job by the same person who coached her during her time of need. Lavonna regards United Way as her family, and she loves the opportunity to pay it forward daily.
01-19-2017 · Homelessness · Kids Home Initiative
Kids Home Initiative: Mary’s Story
Mary, a promising student was falling behind in school because her family was homeless. She is now back on track because your donation to the Impact Fund supported programs like Kids Home Initiative, (KHI) a partnership built by United Way that links…
01-19-2016 · Homelessness · Kids Home Initiative
Kids Home Initiative: Katie’s Story
High school can be a tough time for anyone, but when your parent loses a job and you lose your home, “tough” doesn’t begin to describe it. Katie* found herself in this situation in January of 2014. For months, she and her…
10-17-2014 · Homelessness · Mission United
Mission United Success Story: Wayne Phillips
Wayne Phillips spent three years living in shelters and on the streets. The United States Navy veteran, who did tours in the Persian Gulf and Vietnam, became homeless in 2009 after getting injured at work and losing his job. Wayne had some…
10-30-2013 · Homelessness
2-1-1 Success: A Mother’s Story
One Saturday morning in Rockdale County at the back-to-school fair sponsored by the Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families, a 2-1-1 contact center employee handing out information noticed a woman in line nearby with four small boys. The 2-1-1 manager noticed how…
