I’ll tell you, I’ve lived in two. The first was a more temporary shelter. It was scary at first, but I just tried to calm myself down and start talking about what I like to do with the other women there. I started to feel comfortable and more open. I felt different and like I could get through living there as time went by. After awhile it felt like we were in the service, like the army, because we slept on cots. As I got to know the people there, every woman there had her own problems. I really sat back and looked at them. I was like “wow,” I was shocked by their problems. One lady was talking to herself and she answered herself at the same time. I didn’t make fun of them, I prayed for them in my mind that they get better.
I got along with everyone there. I’m at a new housing program now, but I miss this shelter, so sometimes I go to their day program during the day time. I have about four ladies’ numbers who I met there, so we can stay in contact. I talk to one of them almost every day. We haven’t hung out yet, but we text.
Now I’m at House of Ruth. When I got in there, I was excited. I had to get used to it. During the first few weeks I was there, I got along with three ladies. I had one good friend there, we ate breakfast together. She left the House recently, so now we talk on the phone. My room there is downstairs now, so it’s better now, because I don’t have to take the stairs. So it’s better now there, I’m getting used to it. I’m meeting more women on the downstairs floor and it’s exciting. I feel even more comfortable and more independent. Unlike the first shelter I stayed at, you don’t have to get up so early (like at 5 o’clock in the morning!). My wake up time and breakfast is later at the new place. You have to make your bed at this place. I have to put my clothes in the closet, instead of a storage room like at the first shelter. At both places there have been TVs. At House of Ruth, there isn’t cable, so we watch the news a lot. I like watching the news. At the other place, they liked “Law & Order” and “Criminal Minds,” which I like too, so I was happy.
I feel more independent at House of Ruth, because it’s a new experience. I feel strong, I feel different. I said I would never go to a shelter, but like they say, “never say never.” Ever since I’ve been homeless, it’s teaching me how to be independent and how to take care of myself, like saving money. I still can learn more, like with my reading disability.
