Helping Homeless Mom Find Her Place
Claudia* grew up in Puerto Rico and wanted a different life. When she was 22 she decided to move to Boston to follow family members who had settled here and fulfill her dream of a good education and a stable life for her daughter.
But when she arrived here, the support she had envisioned vanished, as family members including her mother would not allow her to join them in their homes. In a short time she found herself living in a shelter, 8 months pregnant, with a one-year-old daughter.
She sent her daughter back to Puerto Rico to be cared for by her father and had her second child while living in the shelter. Homeless, with a newborn, and away from all supports, she fell into a depression.
Right after the birth of a child is a crucial time. The risk was that her situation would get worse and she’d feel less empowered and be less able to come out of shelter.
Lizzie McEnany, PsyD, Early Connections Clinician and Consultant to Horizons for Homeless Children, is the case manager who worked with Claudia. Since the agency moved to Waltham, CERS has been very active working with women in the Waltham shelters.
Lizzie said, “Claudia had all the risk factors for post-partum depression: stressful life events, lack of social supports, isolation, conflict with extended family, and poverty.”
This was worsened by the fact that she was feeling disconnected from her own mother, who, though living in Boston, was unable to support her financially or emotionally.
Fortunately, Lizzie met Claudia when her baby was only two weeks old. Lizzie said, “I connected with her very soon. She agreed to see me and a JF&CS Visiting Mom so we could doubly support her.”
Claudia was paired with a Visiting Mom who is Spanish speaking. While she provided emotional support, Lizzie concentrated on therapeutic assistance.
For Claudia, being in the shelter was a means to an end, with the goal of getting into public housing. But this meant she had to stay in the shelter to “keep her place in line.” Lizzie provided crucial support during her moments of desperation.
She also taught her the concept of the squeaky wheel and encouraged her to keep calling the housing authority. She said, “Claudia had a very rocky year, but she did a lovely job caring for her child through it all.”
Fortunately, with Lizzie’s help and her own determination, Claudia was able to move into an apartment and enroll at a community college in Boston. Her older child rejoined her and she secured childcare through a state voucher program.
Most importantly, she now feels confidence in herself and as a parent. Lizzie said, “I’m glad I had this opportunity to share in her success.”
Claudia is starting to make friends and is so happy that she and her children can be together in a safe place. With her tough year behind her, she can look to the future and to raising her young family in “mi casa.” Learn More.
*Name changed to protect privacy.