Rhiannon’s Journey: From Survival to Thriving
Reflecting on her transformation, Rhiannon says, “I’ve been in fight-or-flight mode my whole life. This program helped me start living, rather than just surviving. I don’t want my kids to think they have to live in survival mode too. I don’t deserve to be stuck in the past version of myself.”
During Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, we have an inspiring story to share from our Bridge Housing Program.
When you meet Rhiannon, her confidence shines through. She was proudly wearing a shirt that reads “Know Your Worth,” and she embodies that message. Her confidence and strength were forged through challenges, perseverance, and a deep love for her children.
Last year, Rhiannon and her two children, now 15 and 13, were staying with an elderly friend. They slept in the living room, with Rhiannon on a loveseat due to a sprained ankle and her children sharing a spot on the floor. “It was time for us to go,” she remembers. “It’s hard to hide three people.”
That’s when they found Bell Family Shelter. “My kids thought we’d be sleeping on pallets on the floor with ten other people,” Rhiannon says. “But it wasn’t like that. We had our own room with beds. It was humbling, and it gave me hope.”
She wasted no time applying for every housing opportunity. With the support of caring staff like Miss Nnebuwhe and her aunt Vicki, she moved into Bell’s Bridge Housing Program, which she describes as a “breath of fresh air,” she says.
“At first, when Miss Christina and Miss Shelly told me, ‘Don’t get too comfy,’ I took it personally,” Rhiannon laughs. “I’ve been uncomfortable most of my life! But now I understand what they meant, time passes fast, and this program is about preparing for what’s next.”
For Rhiannon, growth meant more than just finding a home; it meant healing old wounds and learning new skills. “I didn’t even know how to save money,” she admits. “People always say, ‘Save, save, save,’ but no one teaches you how. I had to learn the why — that saving means security. So, I got a little safe, where I can put the money away and not touch it.”
Her caseworker, Shelda (Shelly) Philogene, couldn’t be prouder. “When I first met Rhiannon, she was a ticking time bomb, overwhelmed, just trying to survive. But she’s grown so much. She realized what was holding her back and found the solutions on her own. She takes accountability and keeps moving forward. That makes me a proud caseworker.”
Rhiannon smiles, hearing that. “I’ve been in fight-or-flight mode my whole life. This program helped me start living, rather than just surviving. I don’t want my kids to think they have to live in survival mode too.”
Her kids inspire her every day. Her daughter, who has ADHD, participates in the Best Buddies Club at school, supporting students with special needs. Her son, who is autistic, shows her the power of persistence; when he wants something, he goes for it without hesitation. “After their diagnoses, I had to relearn how to parent,” she says. “What I was doing wasn’t working, and I’m grateful I realized that. We’re learning together.”
Rhiannon dropped out of school in tenth grade but is now working toward her GED. “This program pushed me to do it. My kids even help me with fractions! I’m doing this for them, but also for me. I don’t deserve to be stuck in the past version of myself.”
Her ultimate dream is to create an app for teens, a space for community, guidance, and connection. “Teens still need help and someone to meet them where they are,” she says. “If I can make one kid feel seen, it’ll be worth it.”
As for her future, Rhiannon is clear: “I’m not the same person I was. Change is scary, but this time it’s not a bad scary — it’s just new. I know I’m ready, even if I don’t always feel it.”
Shelly agrees: “She’s more ready than she realizes. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, she’s learned, and she’s grown a lot. Now it’s just putting it all into action.”
Rhiannon reflects, “Even if I got kicked out tomorrow, I’d still be forever grateful to Bell Socialization Services. This program changed me and my kids. It made us appreciate life more. It taught us to hold ourselves together and to grow. Comfort is an illusion you have to keep growing.”
As she waits to hear about her housing application, Rhiannon feels a sense of anticipation. “I’ve learned so much, and whatever happens next, I know I can handle it.” That’s exactly what she’s doing: learning, saving, healing, and, for the first time in her life, truly living.