From the Streets to Stability: Amelia’s Inspiring Story
In July 2024, the Supreme Court overturned a decades-long precedent on homelessness, allowing cities to ban sleeping in public places. This ruling will impact thousands across the country, including people trying to survive in Texas.
Austin Echo estimates that “at least 6,683 people experienced homelessness in Austin or Travis County on a single day in October 2023.” Homelessness can mean sleeping in cars and tents (unsheltered) or staying in shelters (sheltered).
For Amelia, an Austin woman we recently helped, who fled an abusive relationship and lives with disabilities, it encompassed all these harsh realities.
Life On The Streets
Born and raised in Austin, Amelia never imagined that she’d one day be living on the streets.
She was a hard worker, a good friend, and a sharp individual. She – like so many of us – never thought homelessness could happen to her.
“I was in a controlling marriage that had me to the point where I couldn’t function correctly,” she shares. With no high school diploma, Amelia had trouble establishing the economic independence that would allow her to easily leave the relationship, and she stayed in the marriage longer than was healthy. Ultimately, that marriage had a devastating impact on her mental health and well-being.
She found herself unsupported, unemployed, and unhoused.
“I was in and out of employment because of some of those mental issues,” she remembers. “I ended up living out of my car for a little while.”
“A little while” turned into five years of homelessness.
Fortunately, Amelia had what many people experiencing housing instability don’t: a friend.
For five years, Amelia and her best friend faced the harsh realities of homelessness together. “We tried to look out for each other while we were homeless together for five years. We tried different programs,” Amelia shares. Even so, the experience was grueling. “We lost the vehicle and stayed in a tent for about six months. It was a challenge to ensure we were staying clean and drinking water and getting meals.”
Their journey included an attempt to join the local shelters and housing programs, but the waiting lists were long and challenging. Life on the streets didn’t help Amelia’s mental health. Eventually, the compounding stress boiled over, resulting in a mental health crisis that led to a stay in a mental health facility.
The Path From Homelessness To Housing
While in care, Amelia received a mental health diagnosis that meant she was suddenly eligible for one of Austin’s Rapid Rehousing programs. After discharge, Amelia attended an outreach event at the One Texas Center and learned about the Rapid Rehousing Program (RHH) at Endeavors, which aims to provide more stability for unhoused Austinites.
Endeavors, a national service organization, has been supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness since 1969. Initially based in San Antonio, we’ve expanded our efforts across Texas, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico, and opened an office in Austin in 2023. The Austin Rapid Rehousing team at Endeavors offers a caring, stable, and healthy environment for those experiencing homelessness.
Homelessness often involves a cycle of streets, shelters, and temporary housing. A permanent address is crucial for stability, job opportunities, and safety. We focus on securing housing first, providing application and financial assistance to quickly house individuals. After securing housing, Endeavors offers resources and referrals for behavioral health and basic needs to help clients maintain stability and build independence.
“When I started [with the program], I was thinking it would take a while, but it didn’t. It just took a few months,” Amelia recounts. “They found us an apartment and helped us fill out the application.” The program also covered rent and utility payments for up to a year, lifting a significant burden off their shoulders.
Endeavors assigned Amelia a personal Case Manager, Katherine. “Katherine was very diligent and helpful in figuring out with the landlord and helping us with the transition. That took so much burden off us as we tried to stabilize ourselves. It helped me to focus more on getting my health back in order.”
Despite her mental health challenges and legal charges, she remained committed to staying out of trouble, taking her medication, and attending therapy.
(Further reading: “Homeless vs. Experiencing Homelessness: Why Vocabulary Matters”)
A New Beginning
With stable housing, Amelia could focus on her physical and mental health. “When I was outside, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and I didn’t have anywhere to put the machine. Suddenly I did.”
A roof over her head and an outlet for her CPAP – two seemingly small but oh-so-mighty changemakers for Amelia. Two big wins in her fight to break the cycle of homelessness.
The newfound stability and encouragement from her Endeavors caseworker, Katherine, empowered Amelia to pursue long-term goals. As humans, we’re more likely to achieve our goals and live happy, healthy lives when we feel part of a community. When we move a client into their new home, the Case Manager will introduce them to resources and organizations in their new neighborhood to help them feel supported, invested, and valued.
“With the encouragement from [Katherine], I decided to finally go for what I’ve been trying to do for years,” Amelia says, “which was go for my GED.”
Amelia is close to completing her GED, with math being her final subject. “It’s built my self-confidence back up. It’s made me happier, more motivated, and determined to keep moving forward.” She also plans to take college courses to earn an Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Technology, a field she’s passionate about thanks to her father’s influence.
Now, on the other side of homelessness, she has a message for others in need: “There are resources out there that can help you, and you shouldn’t let other people’s negativity or doubts keep you from trying. If you keep trying, you’ll succeed.”
Join Our Mission
You can join our mission and help fight homelessness in Austin by donating your time, talent, or treasure. Email ARR@Endeavors.org to:
- Lead a workshop in your field of expertise for our clients
- Help furnish an apartment for a housing client by donating new or gently used furniture or homewares
- Donate new or gently used clothing or shoes
Read more: “8 Actionable Ways to Help Someone Experiencing Homelessness”
About Endeavors
Headquartered in San Antonio, Endeavors is a national service organization that has been assisting vulnerable populations since 1969. Endeavors offers an array of services and programs supporting children, families, migrants, Veterans and those struggling with mental illness, disabilities, disasters or emergencies. Endeavors serves people in crisis with personalized services. For more information, visit endeavors.org.