The Courage to Start Over
Like many couples, Josephine and her boyfriend often argued about money. She had always worked hard and took pride in paying her bills on time, but he did not share those same values. When one of their arguments turned violent, Josephine made the difficult decision to leave. Determined to protect herself and her children, she accepted a job transfer and moved across the state to start over. When she arrived, she was devastated to learn that the new position offered only half the hours she had before. Still, Josephine refused to give up. She continued to work hard and enrolled in an online program with Kaplan University, earning an associate degree in Medical Office Management. This opened the door to a better-paying job, but the higher income still was not enough to recover from the financial strain of the move.
Unable to pay off her back rent in time, Josephine and her children were evicted. They moved in with her brother, where they stayed for two years. During that time, Josephine worked diligently to rebuild her career and earned licenses to sell healthcare, auto, and workers’ compensation insurance. Even with steady employment, the mark of eviction made it nearly impossible for her to be approved for a new apartment. When it came time to move on, the only option available was an extended-stay motel, where she and her children lived for more than two years. Eventually, Josephine was connected with St. Vincent de Paul Georgia’s Motel to Home program. The program gave her the tools and support to focus on paying off her past eviction debt and improving her credit.
Through her dedication, her credit score rose from the low 400s to 555, and she was able to open a secured credit card through her credit union. When she learned that the small office space she rented would no longer be available, Josephine took it as a sign to try again for an apartment. This time, her hard work paid off. She was approved for a new home, allowing her to work remotely and eliminate the cost of renting an office. Today, Josephine and her children are thriving. Her son has joined the Coast Guard, and her daughter, a high school senior, plans to attend college to study journalism. Reflecting on her journey, Josephine shared, “I’m grateful that I stayed positive and hopeful knowing that everything was not in vain. I know that this is not the end for me and my family, but the beginning of many more great things to come.”
