A Mother's Difficult Story

       “I had a choice, feeding Kobe or trying to pay some of my rent.  I chose feeding Kobe. That’s how I ended up here at the Inn Between shelter.” said Cheryl.  For Cheryl, becoming homeless was not something she ever expected, yet it happened quickly.    It is a reality many families face today.  Her dilemma began when she first lost her childcare services, her livilihood and finally her home.  The choices Cheryl had to make were ones a parent should never have to make. 

Cheryl and Kobe are just one of 20 North Shore families currently living at the Inn Between or

Inn Transition shelters in Peabody, operated by Citizens for Adequate Housing (CAH).  Shelter

alone is not the solution for these homeless families - a more comprehensive approach is needed. 

CAH recognizes this need, and offers affordable, permanent housing through our Communities Land

Trust.  Our all-inclusive programming breaks the cycle of homelessness offering: emergency shelter, family stabilization, life skills training and permanent housing.  In the last 25 years Citizens for Adequate Housing has helped well over 500 families including thousands of children, closing the cycle of homelessness.  Today these needs are even greater and, sadly, we see no end in sight.  

Cheryl continues; “Since living at the Inn Between I’ve had the opportunity to change and grow.  I am a better mother to Kobe. I want a better life for us and will do whatever it takes to get there.  He is happy and thriving here.  I can’t sit and wait for life to change for me: I need to change my life.  Taking care of Kobe, working and moving out of the Inn Between are my immediate goals.”  Today Cheryl is working full time, and saving for their new home. 

Homelessness is not a situation that should be considered normal in our culture.  For Cheryl, Kobe and many others it is an obscenity and very traumatic for families.  Today, your gift to Citizens for Adequate Housing takes on a crucial role in ending this trauma.  Will you help us?  Please know that your gift does just that.