From the Mouth of Babes

Siblings Xena and Xamir are not new to homelessness. Close at their mother’s side they weathered many storms together that led them back to Life Turning Point for a fresh start. The family talks about stability, the importance of mentorship and what hope means to them. Xena, the oldest sibling, led the conversation.

“At the other shelters we had a curfew at 9:00 PM and a room, but it was all dirty. The food was horrible and we did not pray. We did not do nothing besides sleep there and leave out.  I am not happy that we lived there. I didn’t like that place more, but I liked how we did not have to do chores because we have chores here and I get tired. At the other place they didn’t even have a kitchen our moms can cook in. There were a lot of roaches and all three of us had one room together.  I feel safe here because I can walk around in my slippers cause it’s clean. Cause at the other place I had to sleep with my hands over my head cause I was scared to sleep cause of roaches crawling on me in bed. This place is more like a home cause we have a key to our room. My mom has her room and we have ours. Here, we have good dinners. The moms can make meals for us on the weekends and they can cook other days after 6:30 and we can get snacks and stuff at night.  I don't have no worries here and I'm not scared. We also have the internet here,we get Christmas presents on Christmas, and we get to go on cool trips like to the beach and have fun. I feel like people care about us here, cause you're nice to me."

LTP not only offers programs and workshops that support the wellness of the mothers but the children also receive services specifically designed for them such as Biblically based counseling and mentorship. Our extension of the Men’s Auxiliary,The Voice of the Father, provides mentorship for the individual family from a Godly male perspective. This family is the first to participate in The Voice of the Father. Xamir shares what it's like to have a mentor.

“Mr. Shawn, he helps me with my anger and we play together. My mom says I'm real active so I like playing football and stuff outside. When I get angry, we just play. And when we play it helps me not be angry.”

Xena is also new to having someone to mentor her. “I hung out with Mr. Shawn’s daughter. I only saw her once so far, she’s funny, nice and helpful. I already have my mom, who’s my best friend, but I like having a friend outside of school.”

Rachel, the children's mom, shares her thoughts as well. “It means a lot to me that they have mentors, It’s not just for them — it supports me too. It’s the kind of help I’ve needed.  Mr. Shawn gives my son something I can’t — that male perspective. And Mr. Shawn talks to Xena too and that helps her to have a Godly male perspective and know that she's heard and cared about. And it reminds me that it really does take a village. Even when I have my own home one day, I hope we can stay connected. I want my kids to grow up feeling supported, to know they’re not alone. We used to move from shelter to shelter, every night, never knowing where we’d sleep. It was very stressful. I am grateful to be here. We finally have some stability so I can focus on what I need to do for my family.”

Transitioning from couch to couch is hard on a family trying to seek mental, emotional, financial stability and a place to call their own. But Xena seems to be optimistic as she shares the dreams she has for her family, and what makes them happy.

“I want to be a professional dancer, my mom to be a singer and my brother to have a sports career!   My mom always says she wants land so I want $500,000 to buy her land and we can pass it on to the next generations in our family.  And if there is any money left over I would buy new phones for us and more electronics. It makes me sad when my mom is annoyed when me and my brother argue so I’m trying to stop and act good.  When my mom is happy I’m happy. We are happy that we live here.”

Our families know that it is because of our donors' financial support they are able to stay here. Upon learning this, Xena said, “I would want to say thank you for helping us get back on our feet and I would want to give them all $20,000.00" 

In closing, the siblings wanted to say something to their mom.  Xena smiles, “Mom, I think you are talented and beautiful.” Xamir interjects, “Thank you mom for feeding me, raising me, taking me to school and making sure we have a roof over our heads.”