When Willow* and her three children first connected with the Child and Family Services Wraparound program, they had recently lost their home. With two children who require specialized support, the family was searching for more stability in their lives.
Care Coordinator Noah Vallas began working with the family seven months ago. His first priority was addressing their most urgent needs.
“When I met them, they truly had nothing, not even access to clean drinking water,” he recalled. Noah immediately connected the family with resources to secure safe housing. Within weeks they moved into an apartment where they could begin rebuilding their lives.
With housing in place, the family finally had the foundation needed to focus on their long-term goals. Noah helped the mother enroll her children in appropriate services including dental appointments and autism evaluations. He also connected her to a counselor to support her own mental health as she began navigating steps for her family’s future.
Finding a permanent place to call their home helped Willow and her children find routine in their lives. As stress decreased, all three kids began showing improvement in school. Looking back, Noah described the moment they received their apartment as the turning point.
“Having their own space lifted such a huge weight off their shoulders,” he shared. “It’s empowering to see them go from having nothing to living together with the resources they need.”
Today, Willow is preparing to return to work and school. The children are thriving and the family is stronger and more supported than ever.
“This case highlights that you can come out of the lowest point in your life with no support or direction,” Noah said. “With the right resources and the right people beside you there’s always a pathway forward.”
*Names changed for confidentiality.