Home ›

Stories

Young Donors

One afternoon, a mom came into ResourceWest with her son and daughter. They brought enough coats, snow pants, hats and mittens to help over 10 other kids -- all received instead of gifts at the boy's birthday party.

One afternoon during the winter, a mom came into the office with her son and daughter. They were carrying six bags full of Winter Warm Wear items. She told us her son had a donation for our Winter Warm Wear program.

One of our staff asked him if he had helped his mom clean out his closest. He smiled and said, "No. I had a birthday party. I told my friends I didn't want presents. I told them to bring coats and hats for kids who don't have any."

Circle Theory

A woman tentatively came into the center, and it was obvious she was terrified. She told us she was homeless and how humiliated she was at having to ask for help. Our Project Starfish Coordinator took over and gently ushered this customer into a conference room.

 

When this customer left sometime later, she was smiling. She had been given a number of resources, including a bag of food. Before she left she explained that she had been one of our donors and had never dreamed that one day she would need our help.

 

No Health Insurance

A young family was in distress. The father was out of work and they were behind in their mortgage payments and quickly running out of food. Several months earlier they had dropped their health insurance, and now their youngest child need to see a doctor. As a first step we encouraged the family to contact their food shelf for needed food supplies.

Success Story

Not long ago, an impeccably dressed gentleman stopped to see us, and we recognized his as a previous Project Starfish customer.

 

We remembered his difficulties: how he had lost his job and his inability to find another, and finally lost his housing. Project Starfish had suggested housing options for him, and he was on his way. He told us of his challenging life in the shelter, but how he had persevered and found another job.

 

Florence's Story

Elderly woman

Florence endured domestic abuse for many years and finally escaped. She's taking steps toward independence with Project Starfish at ResourceWest.

Florence is about 60 years old. She worked for many years while enduring domestic violence. A few years ago, she made the break and escaped her abuser. Lately, Florence has been sleeping on a couch at her son’s apartment here in Hopkins. This is in spite of the fact that she has a debilitating injury and lives in constant pain as a result of a physical assault.