"I finally got a call back"

Five years ago, when the pandemic hit, La Ronda lost her two stable jobs that were keeping her and her family afloat.

“It was a lot of things at the same time that just were going on, and then I had just had a baby.”

Her search for assistance was a long and difficult one. 

“I looked for a lot of different resources, and I was able to find you guys for help. 

I want to say that you were the only ones that responded to me out of, honestly, a 5-year search. Everybody from 211 and all of those other resources. It's just a bunch of different things going in a circle or a cycle, and giving out so much personal information, and you're not getting a phone call back.”

Now she’s starting out again, working two jobs, and got approved for an apartment for her and her 19-year-old son. While she still is working through a lot of anxiety, at least now she doesn’t have to worry about being housed.

“I'm thankful for not having to be homeless anymore and or staying with people or staying in hotels every other week and stuff. So it has helped with finding stability for this time period in our lives. 

To get through the difficult times, La Ronda says that she has had to learn patience, prayer, and having someone to talk to.

“I guess being patient. It is easier to say that now because I did it, and eventually, somebody did finally come through. But I guess people just have to be patient, and it's hard, though, I'm not gonna lie. But the biggest thing I can just say is just if people believe in prayer, or whatever their higher power is… express how you feel in those moments while you're waiting on the help that is needed, because people crack under pressure all the time.”

At some point, she hopes to be able to give back by supporting others who are going through similar situations.

“I understand (needing to) stay strong throughout these tough times because Georgia needs a lot of shelter help. Giving back to communities and working towards that is one of my goals, as well as just educational goals. I

have business plans, to work, of course, for myself, but for right now I'm just working. I’m trying to get through each day at a time.”

Written by Natalie Snedden

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