Late last fall, I went through a bad breakup, I wasn’t working and had nowhere to live. I contacted Shelters of Saratoga to see if I could go to the emergency shelter on Walworth Street. I was put in touch with Chandra, the case manager, who explained the program and what would be expected of me while I was staying at the shelter.
When I arrived, the staff made sure I had clean bedding and any personal care items I needed. Chandra and I worked on medical benefits and established Social Security Income benefits. I was connected with an SOS volunteer, Anthony, who helped me write a resume and cover letter. He showed me how to create a profile on Indeed.com and start applying for jobs. Before long, I was working three part-time jobs.
Once I started working, and I was able to begin looking for housing. One of the most important things I learned while I was staying at the shelter was how to create and follow a household budget. This came in handy when I was filling out applications for apartments. Within three months of coming to SOS, I was moving into my new apartment. SOS helped me get the furniture and supplies I needed, and also paid my security deposit.
I’m so grateful the program was there for me when I needed help the most. It took a lot of hard work and trust in the process. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the support of my family, and the staff, volunteers, and donors at SOS.