When Lucía first came to The Women’s Room at Friends In Deed, she kept to herself.
A Spanish speaker, she didn’t feel comfortable engaging with staff or other guests. Days passed quietly. Then weeks. She observed from a distance, unsure if this was a place she could trust.
Someone suggested she speak with Jenny, the Program Director, who also speaks Spanish. When Jenny introduced herself, something began to shift. Lucía started to feel a small sense of comfort, but even then, it took nearly three months before she felt ready to ask for help.
What made the difference wasn’t just one conversation; it was a community.
As Lucía began coming more regularly, the women around her made it clear: she belonged. Jenny introduced her to other Spanish-speaking guests, while others who didn’t speak Spanish at all found creative ways to connect. Phones came out. Google Translate became a bridge. Conversations, laughter, and shared moments followed.
No one wanted Lucía to feel left out.
Slowly, she began to open up. She even started to practice a little English, encouraged by the women around her who were as eager as she was to meet halfway.
With Jenny’s support, Lucía completed her intake and was connected to Street Outreach. She began working with a case manager and, more recently, was matched to housing. Now, she’s waiting for the call that will begin her next chapter: moving into a place of her own.
Jenny believes wholeheartedly that this moment wouldn’t have been possible without the community Lucía found at The Women’s Room.
Because sometimes, the first step toward stability is feeling seen, included, and safe enough to finally say, “I’m ready.”