The North Strand Housing Shelter is in partnership with the community’s Sea Haven for Youth. There are times when a young person has aged out of the system but still needs help. One such 18-year-old girl came to the shelter in June. She was a product of sex trafficking and had become pregnant. Arrangements were made for her to reunite with her family in another state and be home for the birth of her baby.
On July 7th, I received an email from Sarah. This is what she said: “Thank you so much for letting me stay the night. You are fantastic. I just wanted to let you know I am home, school starts back on August 20th and I will be going back. Thank you again so much, all of you, directors and guests for being so kind to me. I hope to visit someday with my little alien.”
Dear shelter supporters, we covet your prayers and support of the shelter as we “do” for others.
We changed jobs about three years ago and moved to Cherry Grove. My husband became a supervisor and I was a housekeeper. We got a call from family saying my husband’s grandfather had died. We gave up the house we were renting and quit our jobs to go back to help our families.
When we returned, we stayed in a motel. I was unable to get my job back and began working as a waitress. My husband was unable to find work and continued to have health issues. I was the only one working and didn’t make enough to pay rent on the house and our car payment. I was ashamed to take government assistance and had no family to help us. We ended up losing everything.
I went to a local church trying to find answers. They gave me the information for North Strand Housing Shelter. Two days later I received a call from Ms Dana and we were able to move in to the shelter.
With Shelter help my husband found a job. I am now helping people who are in the position we once were in. We have housing and have a place to call home once again. My boys are doing well in school and are healthy and happy. We are grateful for all the help we received from the shelter and have been blessed greatly by God.
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Angelina and her two children came to the shelter for safety and a place to stay while she was seeking employment. She put her son and daughter in elementary school immediately. Angelina was able to get a find a job. Fortunately, she receives child support from the children’s father, which was used for after school child care at the NMB Aquatic Center. She worked and saved her money while at the shelter so she and the children were able to find a safe neighborhood to live.
My name is Fred. I never knew my father and my mother remarried to a man that drank a lot. After much physical abuse, I went to live with my grandparents. I attended Catholic school and graduated 8th in my class. I did not see my mom and sisters for about 5 years. I did not feel that my mom loved me.
Thirty two years later, I came to the North Strand Housing Shelter. I remember the day that I got there – I was so embarrassed. I was ashamed of myself as a man to not be able to provide the basic necessities for myself. I laid in bed that night thinking what my life had come to.
The house Chaplin told me how God loved me but I did not believe him. I told him everything about my past and he never flinched. He just said God still loved me. I asked a number of people about God’s forgiveness and they all had the same answer… “Yes, He did!” … Now I get it!
Today, I will be leaving the shelter soon. With the Outreach Coordinator’s help, I applied for unemployment and when that arrives I will be able to get my vehicle repaired. Also, with volunteer help, I was able to get my CDL license renewed and have found a job with a local taxi company. I will save for a deposit and the volunteer coordinator will help me find affordable housing and move to my new home. I am thankful for the shelter and the volunteers that have helped me.”
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My name is Rannell. Here at the shelter I have learned that we are all the same. I got support here I couldn’t get anywhere else. I will never forget this shelter where me and my son were able to get ready to find our own place and move into our own house (past shelter guest and his son).
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A grateful volunteer gives back. We helped a man that had been homeless for several years. After staying at the shelter several months, we were able to place him in HUD housing. He had applied for SSI assistance and when his first check came in, he purchased a money order for a donation to the shelter to thank us for helping him when he needed it. Those kind of returns can never be totally expressed in monetary terms but it was his only way to show his appreciation.
I was working locally when I got pneumonia and was put into the hospital. I lost my place to live so I ended up on the streets. After coming to NSHS I found a job working 40 hours a week at Kroger. I have been there a month and I am so excited. I will be moving into my own apartment next week. The shelter gave me the opportunity to save my money and move on with my life.
This lady and her daughter came to the shelter in great need of a safe, clean place to stay while she finished school. This month she will graduate from Miller Motte in Myrtle Beach. She has already had a job offer. Shortly they will move into their own housing and move forward with their lives.
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This sweet lady came to the shelter emotionally and physically exhausted. She was determined to not live emotionally disabled relying on prescription pills. It was a hard road, but she has found work locally and loves her job and they love her hard work ethic and positive attitude. She says that “the shelter” saved her life.