When Samantha and her three children fled domestic violence and came to Washington, they planned to stay with a friend. That plan fell through after they arrived, and the family had nowhere to go but their car.
Family shelters across the county were full, so Samantha was connected to the Mary’s Place mobile outreach team. Outreach staff work directly with families living in cars and other unsheltered places. Even when no shelter bed is available, they connect families with resources and help them move into housing.
Building a Path Forward
Samantha secured a job as a medical assistant and soon qualified for a three-bedroom apartment—a place where her family could begin to settle in and rebuild.
Getting approved was a significant milestone, but moving into a home comes with expenses that can be difficult to cover when starting a new job. Working together, Samantha’s outreach team and community partners helped secure financial support so those costs wouldn’t stand in her way.
Samantha’s outreach team nominated her for a Rapid Re-Housing program through Solid Ground and helped her navigate the process of getting connected. The program will provide rental assistance during her family’s first several months at home as they settle in. Mary’s Place also helped cover the initial move-in costs, making it possible for Samantha to take that next step.
Room to Begin Again
Today, Samantha and her children have a home of their own. With her new employment and rental assistance to support the transition, Samantha feels confident in her ability to maintain their housing. And the Mary’s Place team will be there for her if the need arises in the future.
"Thank you, I am so grateful,” she shared with the team.
Her family’s journey reflects both her determination and the difference that timely, coordinated support can make. Together, employment, move-in assistance, and help with rent gave Samantha and her children the opportunity to move out of their car and begin a new chapter—with room to rest, rebuild, and look ahead.