This is my second year working with Shaq and she has been great. I have faced several obstacles securing housing here in Charlotte as I suspect a lot of people in my age group have. I was first introduced to Shaq through a referral and I was very prideful and timid about the process. I did not know how to accept the help. In 2019 I had just come out of an abusive relationship which put me out of a home and into a DV program. I met with Shaq and planned, and she made sure I secured housing within 2-3 weeks. She also gave me the resources to not only secure housing but to maintain it. I was accepted to the ONRAMP program with her referral, which helped me maintain that stability.

Fast forward to 2020 when my lease was up in the middle of a pandemic. Like most people, my job is working from home now. I did not have the space to accommodate that and my lease was ending, and I was so stressed out. I reached out to Shaq/TOY to see if they would be able to assist me. AGAIN, Shaq was gracious in timing. We met on zoom and she typed up a game plan and followed through. Not only did she help me overcome any barriers facing housing she made sure she listened to my needs/wants and found me something that would fit my family and our budget. I have now moved, and the process has been gracious. I was able to access funds I did not know were available to me that made my transition a lot smoother. Moving is expensive, but thankfully HOPWA funding was available to assist me!! She also offered several follow up services to make sure I have everything I need to be successful in my new home. 

Coming from a person with my background to where housing, even as a child growing up in the foster care system has been a lifelong challenge. I am forever grateful for CCP, TOY and Shaq for their services. It has saved me and my family in a way words cannot express.  Housing is a big problem in Charlotte and every other fast-growing area, but I am thankful to have found a program like Time out youth and a housing coordinator like Shaq!

Lauren M