My Nonprofit Reviews

When I first went to Hopes door, I was completely destitute. I was alone in strange city, utterly depressed and without a job, money, family or friends. One would wonder how I'd gotten myself in this situation in the first place, but lets chalk it up to a series of unfortunate events and a bad case of domestic violence. At Hopes Door, I found hope. No its wasn't easy and there were times when I felt like the hole I was in was getting deeper. But I had a shelter, food and someone who understood. I had support and someone to help me navigate the legal and social policy quagmire that comes with the system. And I had advice. However what was truly life changing was the compassion showed me by the staff at both the shelter and the main office. While I was a client, I was given the opportunity to volunteer at the office, stuffing envelopes, making photocopies and babysitting. It took my mind off the daily bleakness and exposed me to some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Andrea. Penny, Carla, Kathleen, Liz, CC, Lizbeth and my counselor Gay are among the most influential people in getting me where I am today. They pushed me to think, to stand on my own to feet, to seek help , and to learn to help myself too. They hugged me, and fed me and told me off when I needed it. One day I crashed my car and the first number I called was the shelter hotline, Penny was there in 15 minutes. And this was 2 years after I had left the shelter! They gave me the tools I need to navigate my life professionally and inter-personally. I remember those lessons to this day and use them in my work as an RN, as a friend, as a mentor, as a daughter and as a significant other. They showed me that I was a person, that I had value, and that I was special. And even after I have been on my own for 5 years, they still call me, check up on me, and take me to dinner and the movies when I am in town. Almost everyone I encountered at Hopes door, remains a significant part of my life today. I know that without Hopes Door, people like me, wouldn't stand a chance at a decent future, perhaps not even a future. Today I am smiling as I write this, on my couch, in my scrubs, in my own flat. 5 years ago, as I sat in my counselors office crying my heart out, I could never have imagined that today I would be who I am where I am. If I had three entities to thank for today, for my life, Hopes Door would be one of them.

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