HOPE for the future
Last Christmas, pregnant and staying at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County with her two little girls, Charmaine didn’t know what to expect. It had to be better than the Christmas before — because nothing could possibly be worse — but what would it be like?
Ghosts of Christmas Past
After Charmaine fled an abusive relationship, it was hard to keep a job and take care of her children . . . especially when the oldest girl was still suffering from the trauma of the abuse.
Her resources dwindled to nothing. Vividly, Charmaine recalls a night spent at another homeless shelter. “It was the absolute worst night of my life. It was cold, I was pregnant, and I had my two girls. By the grace of God, somebody gave us a sheet, because we didn’t even have a sheet.”
Christmas Presents
So when she came to UGM-TC and a staff member showed Charmaine to her clean, comfortably-furnished new room, Charmaine was overwhelmed. As she remembers, “She said, ‘Is this going to be okay?’ Of course it’s more than okay! A lot of us say this is literally the best you can get in this situation.”
Things got even better for Charmaine’s little family when Christmas rolled around — the holiday was filled with celebration and so many presents for her girls. Charmaine couldn’t believe it. “We get nothing but the nicest. I came in with the clothes on my back, and now my kids have so many toys! I really can’t say thank you enough.”
And a few months later, Charmaine received another great present — the birth of a healthy baby boy.
Good Things Yet to Come
During her time at UGM-TC, the programs you support helped Charmaine learn a lot about herself, her family, and her need for God.
“My caseworkers treated me like a person, not like I was homeless,” she says. “They played with my kids, and my kids would run up and hug them. Moms in Touch teaches you a way to pray for your children. Some days it’s exactly what you need. And the ALPHA teacher is easy to comprehend, even a layman can listen to him.”
This Christmas, Charmaine’s family is stronger than ever. And with childcare she found through UGM-TC, she can make sure her children are safe while she works to build a stable home. “I am a Certified Nursing Assistant,” she explains, “and I love what I do, so I really want to work.”
Thank you for filling Christmas with joy for many families like Charmaine’s this year . . . and for giving them the hope to build a firmer foundation, a stronger family, and a better future!
“Every Christmas, your support is a beacon of hope to homeless families like Charmaine’s. Thank you!”
