Linda entered Solid Ground’s HomeSafe program after being homeless for over a year. She moved back home to Minnesota and was experiencing difficulty finding a place she could afford in the Twin Cities area. Additionally, she had poor credit and a criminal history creating yet another barrier to finding housing. During her stay in a family shelter, Linda entered the Customer Service Training program with Twin Cities R!SE. Her several years of experience as a customer service representative paid off and she graduated the program with three job offers!
Linda accepted a union job due to the higher pay, exceptional benefits, and flexible schedule. However, it was April 2020 and due to COVID-19, Linda was expected to work from home. This expectation was very difficult to manage in a shelter setting and Linda moved with her children into a friend’s house. A few months later, she received a call from Solid Ground and two weeks later, she found an apartment!
“I’d been homeless for so long so when Solid Ground helped me get this apartment it was such a blessing. I can now have my grandbabies sleep over and I can cook for my family.”
Linda used her time in the HomeSafe program to rebuild her credit, save money for the future, and provide stability to her children. Now, nine months later, Linda is able to cover the full monthly rent on her own, remain in her apartment, and exit the HomeSafe program.
When asked what she liked most about Solid Ground, Linda replied “Tuesday Meditation with Monica.” Linda suffers from anxiety and found the weekly virtual meditation classes helpful in controlling her breathing allowing her to stay calm, even in difficult situations. “It was scary to get the call that I was leaving the program,” Linda said. “But I know I’m going to be ok, now. I can do this, I know I can!”