Wanda (pictured here with Director of the Women’s Room Lindsey) is one of a “new brand” of clients in The Women’s Room – articulate, high-functioning women who never expected to be in the position of needing our services, but whose lives were knocked off balance by the pandemic and who have struggled to get back on their feet. In particular, Wanda lived close to Friends In Deed as a child, supported us and donated items, but never imagined she would need our services herself.
Her problems began when she had to take a pay cut in her job, and then found herself increasingly less able to work due to disability. To make things even worse she was denied SSDI, and then was forced to move out of her apartment when the owner decided to sell. Unable to find anywhere she could afford on her retirement income, Wanda began living in her car.
Fortunately she was given a flier at the Salvation Army that mentioned Friends In Deed and The Women’s Room. She remembered the organization from many years before, and decided to give us a try. She “felt the warmth” and kept coming back, eventually opening up to Jane and Jenny, and agreeing to accept housing services.
Possibly because Wanda managed to be open to whatever possibilities were available, an opportunity came up very quickly. Wanda is now in bridge housing, and talks about how good it feels to sleep in a bed, feel safe, and eat healthy meals whenever she wants them. However, bridge housing is not without its challenges for a woman who has been used to her own place, and Wanda often finds it overwhelming to live so close to so many other people, many of whom have significant challenges of their own. She is working hard to keep a positive attitude and looking forward to one day having her own permanent place to live again. Wanda tells us that, once she is settled in her own home, she wants to come back to Friends in Deed as a volunteer – and we look forward to that possibility!