09/01/2026
When Dawn's daughter faced serious health challenges, their family was also experiencing homelessness. Dawn stayed by her daughter’s side in the hospital, focused on getting her the medical care she needed. But another frightening question remained: Where would they go after leaving the hospital?
“I was a mother trying to be strong for my child while, inside, wondering how I was going to keep a roof over her head,” Dawn shared.
That was when WHAM stepped in.
With help from WHAM, Dawn secured a home for her family. Assistance with the security deposit, rent, and electricity gave her daughter a safe place to recover. WHAM also helped provide a couch and a desk, simple furnishings that carried great meaning for a family rebuilding after homelessness.
“That couch meant we had somewhere to sit together in our own home,” Dawn said. “That desk meant we had a place to work, organize our lives, and begin planning for a future again.”
For Dawn, the support provided more than housing. It gave her the breathing room to focus on her daughter’s health instead of worrying about where they would sleep.
Dawn also credits WHAM Navigator Latavia for standing beside her family throughout the experience.
“From the very beginning, Latavia fought for us,” Dawn shared. “She never made me feel like we were simply another case or another family needing assistance. She saw us. She listened to me.”
Latavia continued checking on the family after the immediate crisis had passed. Her compassion and consistency reminded Dawn that she was not carrying everything alone.
“For the first time in a very difficult season, I felt noticed. I felt supported. I felt like someone cared whether my family made it through.”
Today, Dawn and her daughter have a roof over their heads and a place where healing can continue. Their family can now focus on rebuilding instead of simply surviving each day.
“You gave a mother hope during a time when hope was becoming very difficult to hold onto,” Dawn wrote. “You gave my daughter a safe place to recover. You gave our family the foundation we needed to begin again.”
Dawn’s story shows what housing stability can mean for a family facing multiple crises at once. Because of the compassion of WHAM’s supporters, a mother no longer had to choose between caring for her daughter and finding a safe place to live.
To every donor and community partner who makes this work possible, thank you. Your support helps neighbors like Dawn find safety, dignity, and a path forward when they need it most.
