As a struggling single mother of two very young ones, I signed up with HMH back in 2006. The worker showed me one place only. Although I wasn't used to living "in in the hood", my options were non existent, so I accepted. The place was nasty, so I was rather taken aback when I was told that I would have to help clean up vacant places for new residents - something that apparently hadn't been done to my place. It took three grown women (myself, my sister, and my step-mom) all day to get the grease off the walls in the kitchen. There were dead roaches, as well as live ones. There was no type of assistance, other than the rent being pretty low (although, $350 for the place I was living in was not worth it). There were no doors inside the house, the bedrooms were just walk throughs. The other tenants used the back hallway as a garbage room (most of their residents are trashy). You have to get permission to spend the night else where, and you're not allowed guests past ten pm - which sucked for me because my friends and I all worked third shift. My worker, who I shall not name, looked as though she hadn't showered in days and hadn't washed her hair in weeks. Her intelligence was lower than an average pre-schoolers, and all she wanted to do was snoop into my personal life. I lived there less than 4 months (it was right next to a drug dealer's house), and I will never seek assistance from those fools again.
I've tried posting this twice, being told each time that "my review contains inappropriate language". I'm deleting a four letter word before roaches this time, but oh my god.
I first learned of HMHI through our local Chamber when asked to serve on the development board. The services provided by this organization make a tremendous impact on our community. Meeting the participants and hearing their success stories is heart warming. One participant's experience that stands out is going from homeless, to getting a college degree, full-time employment and coming back to HMHI to serve on the development board. The only thing that would make the program better is unlimited resources for funding so that even more lives can enjoy a "fresh start".
Having been involved with the Annual FRESH START BENEFIT SALE for Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. for many years I know if I were a single-parent who, for whatever reason, became homeless I would feel blessed to be accepted into this Program which provides Supportive, Transitional and Permanent Housing that takes people from Homelessness to Self-sufficiency. HMHI is celebrating its 20th year of service which has brought many wonderful success stories from former participants and their now grown children. These stories reflect all the love, caring and nurturing that makes this Program work. Over 600 families have applied for housing in the past year yet there are only 49 homes available. Funding is desperately need to expand this much-needed Program.
The food pantry and clothing closet are open from 8-4:30, and service coordinators will sometimes stay late as needed, trying to accommodate those that have jobs but are still struggling to make ends meet. They don't stand over you the whole time your shopping. Plus, they listen to what the clients need and try to keep those things on hand as much as possible, including non-food items like tp and diapers.
We are very fortunate to have Humility of Mary Housing in our community. HMHI provides much needed transitional housing services to single parents and does so with a unique blend of compassion and effiency. They provide food clothing and shelter for parents and children in dire need. Once immediate needs have been met, HMHI then works with the participants to help them get the skills and education that they need to help them become healthy, happy, productive citizens.
What a wonderful organization! Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. helps, supports, and encourages growth of its participants. It serves as the transition to a better life for single parents and their children. HMHI serves a need and with greater funding could help an even longer list of people in need of such support, encouragement, and growth!