Mia’s Story: The Green Light
With the green light to look for housing, Mia is excited to create a home where her family can share dinner conversations, go on evening walks, and enjoy ice cream outings together.
Mia never imagined she would find herself here—at Bell Family Shelter, navigating the uncertainty of homelessness.
“I’ve never been homeless in my life,” she shares. “I let my depression get the better of me, and I lost my job because I had to miss work to take my daughter to appointments. She’s on the spectrum. We found ourselves living on the streets.”
Eventually, a call to Bell Family Shelter brought hope. A room had opened. “The first night here, I crashed,” she recalls. “I could finally breathe.”
The adjustment was not easy. Mia explains. “I am a certified forklift driver. I work long shifts and do not get many days off. Being in an environment where I had to follow their rules, do chores, and go on walk-throughs while still working was overwhelming. This place works hard to build you up. I know the staff is pushing me for a reason.”
Mia channeled that pressure into progress. “Since day one, I’ve been trying to show appreciation and pay it forward. I do extra chores. I work, and I keep going.”
Now, her efforts are paying off. “I got the green light to start looking for a place because my wife and I both have jobs,” she says, smiling. “I was stuck for a while, but now I see the goal. Two more paychecks, and we’ll have enough for a deposit.”
For her daughter, the experience has felt like an adventure—but Mia is honest about the reality.
“She’s only 12. I tell her that when she has her own family, she doesn’t want this. Being homeless causes arguments and stress.” She misses the simple routines of home—sharing her day over dinner, going for walks, and getting ice cream as a family.
“This situation is tough, especially with depression and anxiety,” she says. “My escape is work. Not to get away, but to feel productive and to know I’m doing something to improve our situation.”
Mia’s strength and determination shine through in every word.
“I am better now,” she says. “I’m grateful for Bell Family Shelter because we could be in the streets looking for food right now.”
With her family by her side, her resilience intact, and a clear path ahead, Mia is ready to move forward. “I’ve got the green light.”