February 2026 Newsletter

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So Much Less Stressful

Tina was a live-in ex-spouse for financial reasons and for the care of their five-year-old son, Ezra. Domestic violence was an accepted part of that relationship, as long as the benefits of having a home were greater than the abuse. But the constant torment wore on her emotional stability.

She sought help to become independent through the Department of Human Services. Tina was approved for a Temporary Assistance for Domestic Violence Survivors grant for up to $3200. However, she could not use it because her bad credit prevented her from being accepted into any rental unit.

She had an emotional breakdown due to overwhelming stress. It was a temporary state of crisis, but needed to be addressed. She checked into Mercy Health’s Behavioral Health Unit for a few days to heal. A social worker there recommended our Samaritan Inn as a safe place to go.

“This looks nice,” Tina thought as she drove her car into our women and children’s parking lot. She had stopped by her ex-spouse’s place to pick up their son, so he could be with her here. “Oh wow, we actually get our own room,” she exclaimed, “This is so much less stressful.”

Ezra calls Samaritan Inn “our home.” He likes the play structure (that they are pictured on), the fenced back parking lot to ride a bike, and the toys available in their living pod area. And they both like going to our Children’s Chapel. Referring to the children’s Bible story videos, Tina said, “They’re really pretty good, because it helps to break it down for me. Ezra asks questions about it, and he sings along with them. It helps me get a better understanding of God and reconnect with Him.”

Finding a job proved to be difficult for her because of inconsistencies with her work history. A personal reference, from the mother of one of Ezra’s classmates, gave Tina the break she needed. Now, both mothers work at the same fast-food place. Tina works 20 hours per week while Ezra is in school. When she became employed, her monthly cash benefit, through DHS called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to help with housing, stopped. She is on a waiting list to receive a subsidized housing voucher from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for low-income people.

Tina is interested in our Transitional Housing Program as a means of developing her rental history, credit score, and savings, which will help her to qualify for programs that she has been denied access to.

For Ezra, home is where his mom is happy, not stressed. He can tell the difference and responds accordingly. It affects his behavior at home and school. Environment is a key stabilizing factor in having a healthy outlook on life. And developing faith takes the focus off ourselves and situations.