Rest, recharge and take control

By Tricia Wright

executive director

A couple of weeks ago, I had coffee with “Jade,” a resident who’s preparing to move out of Onward House and into her own apartment.

“People around me say they’ve seen a change—I seem more stable,” Jade told me. “And I feel it too. I feel more stable. I feel more confident.”

Her journey to this point hasn’t been easy.

Before coming to Onward, Jade lived in an orphanage. One of her counselors recommended the program, and she decided to give it a try.

She now describes Onward as a place that gives young adults like her a breather—a chance to rest, recharge, and take control of their future.

I don’t worry that I’ll be homeless in three days

Jade used to live with the constant fear of becoming homeless again within days. At Onward, that fear lifted. With basic stability in place, she could finally focus on building the skills needed for independent living.

Our program manager, Corey, played a key role in that process.

Jade credits Corey with helping her:

• Navigate healthcare

• Create a budget

• Make sure her finances were in order with banking and credit cards

Corey also supported her as she:

• Found and purchased a reliable car

• Secured an affordable apartment to move into after Onward House

  “I don’t think I would have found either without her. I’d probably have ended up living somewhere that wasn’t safe,” Jade said.

I’ve never had this kind of support

Jade’s mom died when she was young, and she’s spent much of her life in different programs—often figuring things out on her own. The support she received at Onward was different. It was consistent, personal, and impactful.

Thank you!

Thanks to all of our supporters for making stories like Jade’s possible. Her next chapter begins with stability and confidence—and our full support.