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$5.00 / Issue 61

Homeless With a Child

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Words by Amy Dover and Roger Blanton
Drawings by Amy Dover

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Being homeless with a child is very hard.

We never thought being homeless was so hard until we were
homeless with a child.

You have to look after your child more than you look after
yourself.

Their safety is everything.

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The day I lost my home was the day our baby girl was born.

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The reason I lost my home was because I placed myself in
Shelby, NC, as a high-risk pregnancy.

I had to stop my part-time job. By the time the baby was born,
I had an eviction notice on my door.

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I found myself packing stuff to put into storage. That day, I
went through a lot of feelings, but most of all, I thought about
my newborn.

She comes first, of course. I started looking into my resources
for my child, not for me.

We went to the Urban Ministry Center. A lot of social workers
are there help to keep my head up.

Our names came up to receive housing. It takes time.

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I will never forget the sadness we felt one day when the cops
found a young man who passed away under the bridge near
the Urb where the homeless people go to eat lunch.

That was a big eye opener.

He had been called home with Jesus.

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As much as we could this past winter, we slept in different
churches through the Room at the Inn program.

In the winter, the churches are a blessing to a family.

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This situation can happen to anyone.

This homeless situation brings you closer to God.

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ABOUT SPEAK UP MAGAZINE

Speak Up equips remarkable people facing homelessness with a
magazine that releases their voice and give them a chance to work
and earn money. As they buy and sell Speak Up magazines (and
keep the profits), they discover dignity, develop skills, accomplish
goals, and get off the streets.

Speak Up is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, powered by your generosity.

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