Toni’s Story-
My name is Toni and I’m broke, homeless, and I live in a shelter. I have always known about the Greenhouse, but never thought that I would ever become a resident there. The first time I came to the shelter, it was late September/early October. At the time, I didn’t realize what a blessing it was to be there. The shelter doesn’t ask for anything except that you follow the rules and try to do one chore a day. I didn’t do that. The shelter is there to keep you safe, provide food, and a warm place to sleep at night. I’d never participated in anything.
It was my 30th day the in shelter, my 46th birthday and I was asked to leave. I was not minding my own business and broke another woman’s anonymity. Again, I found myself homeless, broke, and living out of a box. I talked my ex-boyfriend into taking me in for a month and that didn’t turn out so well either. Again, I had to leave.
I called the shelter and asked to come back. This time in the shelter, I took advantage of counseling and told them things I’d never talked about. When I got those horrible secrets out in the open and dealt with them in a healthy, safe environment, I felt a change come over me. I can’t explain it. I started getting involved, doing the things I needed to do to help me get back on my feet again and find a place of my own.
I think I became the person that I was meant to be. I walked with my head held high and learned to follow direction. I have learned so much here. I will never be able to thank the staff for everything they did for me. The shelter has taught me a new way to live. I came in here a broken down, scared little girl, and will be leaving a strong, independent woman.
-Written by Toni-