A brief recap of our co-founders' stories:
Rhonda's story:
Rhonda fled an abusive marriage with her then 15 year old daughter, Madison. They lived from house to house, couch to couch, for nine months. Rhonda DID have a job and a newly completed master's degree, but was only making $16,000 as a paraprofessional. During the summer, when her teaching checks no longer came in, Rhonda tutored to earn a few extra dollars. At one, point Rhonda vividly remembers sitting with a $20 bill on her lap calculating how much gas to put into her car in order to get to her next tutoring job and how much to save for groceries. A couple whom Rhonda had never met opened up their home to Madison and her, allowing them to live in their downstairs two bedroom apartment, for free, until Rhonda was able to get back on her feet. Rhonda often worked two and three jobs to make ends meet, but was able to find a new apartment for Madison and her to call home.
Rhonda fled an abusive marriage with her then 15 year old daughter, Madison. They lived from house to house, couch to couch, for nine months. Rhonda DID have a job and a newly completed master's degree, but was only making $16,000 as a paraprofessional. During the summer, when her teaching checks no longer came in, Rhonda tutored to earn a few extra dollars. At one, point Rhonda vividly remembers sitting with a $20 bill on her lap calculating how much gas to put into her car in order to get to her next tutoring job and how much to save for groceries. A couple whom Rhonda had never met opened up their home to Madison and her, allowing them to live in their downstairs two bedroom apartment, for free, until Rhonda was able to get back on her feet. Rhonda often worked two and three jobs to make ends meet, but was able to find a new apartment for Madison and her to call home.
Sarah's story:
Sarah, a United States Army Veteran, injured her right shoulder/arm while serving. After getting honorably medically discharged Sarah took a job at a local warehouse where she further injured her shoulder and required three surgeries in three years. During her rehabilitation process, Sarah was physically unable to work due to doctors orders,and also fought to stay on disability pay. During this time, with no income and ability to work, Sarah also found herself homeless and living in her car. Sarah then stayed with friends in their basement until the same couple who opened their home to Rhonda, opened their doors to her, and let her live with them free of charge until she was able to begin working again. It was during her lowest point in life, and while unable to work, Sarah decided to go back to school to complete her Bachelor's degree. Sarah has since had two more surgeries on her shoulder and completed her Master’s and Doctorate degrees respectively.
Sarah, a United States Army Veteran, injured her right shoulder/arm while serving. After getting honorably medically discharged Sarah took a job at a local warehouse where she further injured her shoulder and required three surgeries in three years. During her rehabilitation process, Sarah was physically unable to work due to doctors orders,and also fought to stay on disability pay. During this time, with no income and ability to work, Sarah also found herself homeless and living in her car. Sarah then stayed with friends in their basement until the same couple who opened their home to Rhonda, opened their doors to her, and let her live with them free of charge until she was able to begin working again. It was during her lowest point in life, and while unable to work, Sarah decided to go back to school to complete her Bachelor's degree. Sarah has since had two more surgeries on her shoulder and completed her Master’s and Doctorate degrees respectively.