A working mom, a veteran dad and their four children, living in their van, found Winter Nights Safe Park Program, where they had access to restrooms, showers, breakfast and support services. They moved into the shelter, when space was available, where volunteers provided meals and the children thrived in the tutor program, two made the honor roll. This story has a happy ending: the family found stable housing, have a steady income and a plan for the future.

Winter Nights has expanded its support to include the Continued Success program. We now provide follow-up to families from previous seasons to check in and see how they are doing. It is a time to listen, to offer encouragement and celebrate their success. It can also be a time to offer advice, provide contacts or other resources to address situations that might lead to them to lose their housing again. 

The Continued Success program was able to help a family of four, who was with us last season, keep their apartment. Both parents were working, but due to issues centered around Covid-19 they lost their jobs. Their rent was overdue, and so was a utility bill. An official “Three-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Move Out” arrived the very day that they were contacted by Continued Success staff.  The parents got new jobs, and Winter Nights provided the funds to pay back the rent and a little extra to give them some breathing room. They are so grateful!