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Wed, Feb 23, 2022 at 7:24PM

Relieved, grateful ... and dazed

Suddenly no longer the wife in a household with an abusive husband, “Samantha” was able to breathe. Thankfully, she had managed to get her three children out with her, too. But she didn’t really know what else she could be — or where else she and the kids could go.

Thanks to Family Renew Community supporters, Samantha found her answers. After 10 months of safe, stable housing and compassionate support at Family Renew’s DeLand Residential Campus for families experiencing homelessness, the 33-year-old is a confident, working single mom with a healthy savings account raising her children in a three-bedroom, two-bath apartment in Orange City.

Shortly after arriving at Family Renew in December 2020, Samantha found work at a group home in Deltona for troubled teens. The path out of homelessness from there was not without its bumps, though.

“The whole family was trying to adapt,” recalls Linda Carson Adkinson, program manager for the DeLand Campus and Samantha’s case manager.

Even Samantha’s younger children, a 4-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl at the time, were included in the counseling to which Linda referred the family. But the trauma of the parents’ breakup and resulting episode of family homelessness were particularly tough on an older daughter, now 12. She acted out.

“I encouraged more mother-daughter time. We included (the girl) in some of our (case management) meetings,” Linda says. “There was a lot of healing that took place. The daughter’s behavior began to get more respectful toward her mother.”

As Samantha feared, her estranged husband in court sought full custody of the children. Linda spoke in support of the Samantha during the proceedings, which were held virtually because of the pandemic.

“She was very anxious, very nervous. She did not want him to take her kids, and the kids did not want to be around him as well,” Linda says.

Samantha retained custody of the children, and their father was ordered to pay child support. Meanwhile, Samantha became certified as a nursing assistant and found a higher-paying job. Last October, a housing voucher from the government came through, allowing her to find an apartment she can afford for her family. She was able to save up more than $5,000 while living at Family Renew, so she has a safety net.

As she left Family Renew, Samantha noted that she had achieved a goal of independence and that she still has her eye on a goal of going back to school. And she had kind words for her Family Renew Community case manager.

“Miss Linda is great … helpful and insightful.”


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Linda Carson Adkinson
I?ve know Mrs. Linda for 49 years. She has always been a caring and loving person. She loves people and it shows. Her position fits her well. Mrs. Linda makes a difference in whatever she endeavors to do.
Author: / Thu, Feb 24, 2022 at 7:26PM
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