Raising newborn triplets in a van

There was a time when we mostly sheltered men at the Mission. They often struggled with alcohol or drug addiction. But more and more, the face of homelessness is changing.

Melanie is one of so many examples. She moved in with her mom to ease her suffering from cancer. Just a few weeks after her mother passed, Melanie delivered triplets.

The newborns and their mother had only a van for shelter. Out of desperation, Melanie called Child Protective Services.

Melanie shared that the caseworkers explained to her, “You don’t neglect your children. You don’t abuse your children. We can’t help you.”

 After spending Thanksgiving and Christmas this way, a friend told Melanie about Everett Gospel Mission. There was a room available!

Melanie has since found childcare and work, saved up, and moved into transitional housing. She is finally able to enjoy her three little miracles, knowing their future is more secure.

If anyone tells you that the homeless are out there by choice, why not gently share Melanie’s story? We need to get the word out that you don’t have to be an alcoholic or a drug addict to fall on hard times. You can be a wonderful loving daughter coming to the aid of a dying mother. You can be the uncelebrated mother of triplets. Or an innocent child.

We’re all human.

I think we can all agree on that!

Sylvia Anderson
CEO