We met Joslyn, a 21-year-old single mom with a 2-year-old daughter, in early November. She had no family in the area and only a minimal support system. Her daughter was born while she was living in a homeless shelter, and for a short time, she moved in with the baby’s father, who helped with childcare while she worked. But Joslyn quickly realized this was not a healthy long-term situation. When she expressed her concerns, he moved out of state, leaving her to manage on her own.
Without childcare, Joslyn lost her job, fell behind on bills and grew increasingly worried about how she would catch up. As her stress mounted and her mental health declined, she reached out to a crisis line. They connected her to Safe Families in Chicago, who then connected her to us. We are grateful that God brought her to us through this unexpected chain of support. When we learned about her challenges, we assured her that we would walk alongside her. Joslyn was open about her battle with depression, but she consistently expressed her faith, saying she knew God was with her. Although she lived outside of our normal service area, Joslyn was willing to relocate, recognizing the need to build a new support system.
Our staff reached out to one of our host families, the Olsons, and arranged a meeting. The plan was to provide short term hosting for Joslyn’s daughter while Joslyn searched for employment, caught up on bills, and worked toward stability. Just as this plan was taking shape, Joslyn’s landlord informed her that she was being evicted and offered her the option to vacate immediately to avoid legal action.
Later that same week, the Olsons and Jenny, our intake coordinator, drove to Joslyn’s home, helped pack her belongings, and brought her to a temporary place to stay, while her daughter was welcomed into the Olsons’ home. Throughout the hosting, the Olsons’ goal was to give Joslyn the mental space she needed to process her stress and prepare for what lay ahead. With their support, Joslyn took initiative in her job and housing search, making the most of this window of stability to establish what her family needed. When the hosting extended beyond the original end date, the Olsons prayerfully chose to continue investing in Joslyn and her daughter, engaging in sacrificial giving and meaningful conversations with their own children about loving like Jesus.
Though there were setbacks along the way, by early December, through the support of the Olsons and Karen, a Family Friend volunteer, Joselyn secured employment in her new city, moved into her own apartment, and arranged daycare for her daughter.
Today, Joslyn is continuing to build a strong support system in her new community, thanks to the incredible volunteers who surrounded her with care, encouragement, and practical help. With their support, she found the stability she needed to begin creating a brighter future for herself and her daughter. We give glory to God for moving these mountains and allowing us to play a part in His plan for her life!
