Hunger to Hope: My Story
There was a time when life felt heavier than I could carry. For five years, I was homeless — trying to survive, trying to stay strong, and trying to figure out how to rebuild my life. I had two young boys who looked to me for stability, love, and direction. But shelters were overcrowded, full, or wouldn’t accept us because none of us had a diagnosed mental illness. So, to keep my boys safe and protected, I made the hardest choice a mother can make: I had them stay with family while I figured things out to get back on my feet.
I walked through nights filled with fear, days filled with uncertainty, and moments where hope was the only thing I had left. But even in the struggle, I kept pushing. I kept praying. I kept believing that where I was didn’t have to be where I stayed.
Step by step, door by door, prayer by prayer, things began to change. I walked that road completely alone.....no support, no community......until I realized how strong I truly was. I found strength I didn’t know I had, and eventually I found a path out of homelessness. Now I want to become the very community and support I never had. Through love, resilience, and a village built with intention, we can help others find their way forward and walk out of the darkness, too.
Today, I stand not just as a survivor, but as a vessel of hope. My journey is why What’s Beyond Da Menu exists. I know what hunger feels like..... not just hunger for food, but hunger for stability, dignity, and a chance to breathe again. I know what it feels like to be overlooked or turned away. And I know what it means when someone extends a hand instead of judgment.
My story is a reminder that hope can rise from the hardest seasons. And now, I get to turn my pain into purpose, helping others find their way from hunger to hope.
