Fanny and her family (Marlon, 29, Maria, 26, Jeffrey, 13, Edwin, 7 and Olivia, age 3) found themselves in a desperate situation when they were sleeping at an airport in Chicago and all of their belongings and money were stolen. Fortunately, they met a minister who became the lifeline that they needed. Through the church, the minister connected them to BEDS Plus. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
“The journey was incredibly difficult,” Fanny recalls. “But we always had to ask God to help us move forward and to place ourselves in His hands. When we found ourselves living in that airport, everything felt hopeless. When we met the minister who led us to the church, and eventually to BEDS Plus. That's when things started to change.”
At the Cicero Avenue Transitional Shelter, the family finally found safety. The shelter provided more than just a roof over their heads—it offered them a stable environment where they could begin to rebuild their lives.
“The moment we arrived at the shelter, we felt safe,” Fanny says with a smile. "We were finally in a place where we could breathe, and where our children could have a bed to sleep in and a safe place to play. For our youngest daughter, who has severe health issues, this was especially important."
After spending three months at the Cicero Avenue Transitional Shelter, Fanny and her family moved into their own apartment. This transition marked a significant milestone in their journey, as they shifted from temporary shelter to a stable, permanent home.
Through the coordinated efforts of BEDS Plus and a network of local resources, the family received everything they needed to start anew. From essential household items like a microwave and furniture to weekly food deliveries from the church, they were surrounded by support. Fanny also shares how the shelter staff, particularly Chris Hart her case manager, played a crucial role in their journey to stability.
“Chris was amazing,” Fanny reflects. "He helped us fill out all the paperwork, and within a month, he had secured an apartment for us. He connected us with so many resources, and even the church continues to bring us food every Tuesday. We are so grateful to everyone at BEDS Plus. They have been a blessing to us."
Fanny’s husband was also able to secure employment through connections made at the church. A member of the congregation, who worked at a nearby factory, helped him get a job which he could walk to—further cementing the family's newfound stability.
For Fanny and her family, the Cicero Avenue Transitional Shelter was more than just a temporary refuge. It was a place where they could begin to heal from the trauma of their journey, connect to resources they needed for their daughter, and build a future filled with hope. After spending three months at the Cicero Avenue Transitional Shelter, Fanny and her family moved into a short-term family bridge apartment. While this apartment is not a permanent home, it provides them with stability for the next year as they continue to work towards a more secure future. BEDS Plus holds the lease, allowing the family to focus on rebuilding their lives without the immediate pressure of securing long-term housing.
“Our journey took over a year, but once we arrived at the shelter, things started to move quickly,” Fanny says. “We are now living in a safe apartment, our children are in school, and our daughter is receiving all the therapies she needs. We thank God every day for the people who helped us along the way.”
Chris Hart, their case manager, reflects on the family’s progress: “Fanny and her family have overcome many challenges during the past year. They have a special needs child and two other children that have had to adjust to a new school and new surroundings. Despite these obstacles, they have built a life for themselves through hard work, advocating for themselves, and engaging with community partners to provide the necessary support for them to be successful. They have become a model for how a family can be successful with our support services.”
Fanny’s story is a testament to the power of community, faith, and the essential role that organizations like BEDS Plus play in the lives of families facing homelessness. As we look to the future and continue our work at the Cicero Avenue Transitional Shelter, we hope to provide many more families with the same safety, resources, and support that Fanny and her family received.