Peter and Jennifer didn’t plan on being homeless. They never imagined that they would be living in a tiny motel room with their one-year-old and newborn sons. But misfortune doesn’t ask permission before it strikes. A loss of work and some financial setbacks caused them to lose their apartment and move into a run down motel.

“This will only be temporary, just long enough to get back on our feet,” they told themselves. But the weeks turned into months, and a year later they were still living in a motel. No matter how hard they tried, the barriers they needed to overcome just kept getting bigger.

Then one evening they received an unexpected visitor. Two employees from the Orange County Rescue Mission knocked on their door and offered them an Easter basket. The basket only contained some cleaning supplies and household items, but it turned out to be a much greater gift. Peter and Jennifer were told about Strong Beginnings, a program that helps families that are living in motels to get over the barriers to self-sufficiency and into their own place. With the help of OCRM and Strong Beginnings, they began to put the pieces of their life back together. They got their car registered and insured so Peter could get to work safely. They began to address their credit issues, and started taking care of important financial obligations. More importantly, they began to feel HOPE once again.

This family is now living in a safe, spacious two-bedroom apartment. They recently replaced their tiny, worn out car with a nice minivan that the Rescue Mission helped them acquire. Peter and Jennifer are just one of the more than 50 families that have moved from a motel or shelter into a place of their own with the help of the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Strong Beginnings Program in the past year.

The Wolik family was so grateful that they sent the following letter to OCRM's outreach department:

March 28, 2002

Dear Larry and all those involved in this program that my family and I have been blessed by,

It was exactly one year ago this week, I believe, that Larry and another gentleman knocked on our door while we were at the Fire Station Hotel. We were amazed at the information you shared with my husband that day, and afraid you weren't genuine in your intentions. Sitting here in my very large living room, looking back, with tears rolling down my face, I want to thank you again. Although I have not been able to bring myself to church yet, my faith in God has increased 100 percent. I apologize for my messy penmanship, but it was important to me just to let you all know that many lives have been touched.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Wolik