Mary became a mentor with Hope Unexpected three years ago after hearing a heartfelt story about the organization at her church. Inspired to make a meaningful impact, she connected with Lisa, a single mother of four grappling with numerous challenges. Building trust took time, but Mary’s dedication to Lisa exceeded the usual mentor-mentee relationship. Through regular coffee meetings and quality time spent together, Mary provided unwavering encouragement as Lisa navigated each obstacle.
When they first met, Lisa was living in a small, dilapidated home with her mother, land didn’t have stable employment, a high school diploma, or reliable transportation. Hope Unexpected offered vital resources, including community support, counseling, diapers, and wipes, in addition to mentoring.
Mary championed Lisa at every turn, guiding her as she earned her GED and ultimately secured a car voucher for safe travel.
“Hope Unexpected offered vital resources, including community support,
counseling, diapers, and wipes, in addition to mentoring.“
However, housing issues continued to plague Lisa: her landlord neglected essential repairs, rendering their home unsafe. Throughout these struggles, Mary remained a steadfast ally, supporting Lisa even when inspectors condemned the property and gave the family just ten days to vacate. When local shelters could not accommodate Lisa’s children, Mary supported her as she sought temporary housing, and eventually was able to secure a safe home for she and her children.
Today, with Mary’s ongoing mentorship, and the supportive community provided by Hope Unexpected, Lisa is learning to thrive beyond survival mode, confidently planning for her family’s future.