During my time in the program, I graduated from high school, got a full-time job, and eventually found an apartment. I found a teen living program that helped me. My mom kicked us out, and I had nowhere to turn. My second experience was as a teenager, when my son was five months old, and again when he had just turned one. My first experience was as a child living with my mom. I have had more than one experience with being homeless. My name is Sylvia and I am a single mother to an eleven-year-old boy. The only person I was able to think of every time things were overwhelming or just needing job advice and assistance with apartment sea Excerpt: From Sylvia Edwards’ speech at our 2015 Home for the Holidays fundraiser. I had no other support during my time in shelter. She didn’t judge me, she encouraged me and my decisions, and she helped me to save money, which I’d never done before. She was the first to hear me when I came, she was the first to understand how important it was to keep my son safe and in a stable environment. I am so glad I found FamilyAid Boston, and Jeannie. I finished my degree, got a good job, and found a home for me and my son.Įven though I experienced homelessness as a child and as a teen, my most recent experience was the worst because my son was old enough to understand what was going on. Through this whole year of being homeless, moving from place to place, and staying in shelter, I achieved my goals. Now that I finally have some time to reflect, I can see that it’s pretty amazing what I have accomplished.

On Location by Sylvia Edwards