Robin’s Story: How a Recently Homeless Mom Got a Job With The Legislature

One of the greatest Women’s Empowerment traditions is the ringing of the job bell when a women secures employment. Robin recently picked up this bell and shared her story with current Women’s Empowerment students…

She and her husband were pursuing degrees at Sacramento State University, working steady jobs, and growing their own business when the unexpected happened.

Her husband began having a series of epileptic seizures that left him incapacitated. Robin had to give up college and work to be his primary caregiver. She watched her family’s hard-earned money disappear as they struggled to survive—and as medical bills piled higher. They sold all of their furniture and electronics, and eventually lost their car and home.

Robin was in her second trimester of pregnancy. Not only did she have herself and her recuperating husband to care for, she had her son to think about.

Robin immediately began filling out applications for apartments, affordable housing and even shelters—nothing was available. They rented motel rooms and turned to family and acquaintances for shelter.

Then a good friend mentioned Women’s Empowerment. She had graduated from the program, and knew Women’s Empowerment would help Robin rebuild her life.

The support and encouragement Robin found was exactly what she needed. Women’s Empowerment provided transportation assistance and onsite childcare for her infant son, so Robin could focus on honing her job-readiness skills.

“It was the first time in over a year that I could even imagine finding some hope to live a life that I felt was good again,” she said.

After graduating from Women’s Empowerment, Robin continued to work with her Employment Specialist to secure a part-time paid internship at a California Assemblymember’s office.

In just four short months, Robin was promoted from her internship to a full-time position as a District Field Representative. “Because Sacramento is my hometown, I feel privileged to have the opportunity to make a difference in my community. This is where I grew up, and I want it to be a good place for my child to grow up,” she said. Robin even represented her office at Governor Brown’s bill-signing ceremony held at Women’s Empowerment last month.

Less than a year after graduating from Women’s Empowerment, Robin has a full-time job with full benefits, a car, and—after two years of being on waitlists—her own apartment. She and her husband even created a college savings account for her son. Robin couldn’t be more grateful this Thanksgiving.

Because of your support, Robin is not alone in her accomplishments. 81% of our graduates secure a job or enroll in school, and 92% find a safe place to call home.

Please consider giving a gift of $100 to Women’s Empowerment to ensure families like Robin’s have an opportunity to succeed. You are an integral part of the solution to ending homelessness—right here—right now.