Seen, Supported and Finding Home
Trish’s story is one of courage, strength and renewal - leaving behind an unhealthy cycle and stepping into the unknown. After ending a 25-year marriage, she found herself completely alone, facing the loss of her business, financial security, family connections and sense of self.
At 50, she was beginning again with nothing but her dog and the belongings she could fit in her car.
Trying to rebuild a life without a place to call home brought daily challenges. Maintaining routine, stability and the consistency needed to hold a job felt nearly impossible while living out of her car or moving between occasional hotel stays. Her experience reflects a reality many face in Central Oregon - how difficult it is to move forward when you don’t have something as simple, yet essential, as an address.
After saving enough to secure housing, Trish was connected to Furnish Hope through Saving Grace, a local nonprofit supporting those experiencing domestic abuse.
What had been an empty space soon began to transform into something more. Watching her apartment become a home was an exciting turning point.
“I had hope through the process of starting over from nothing, but then to see it in action and see people who wanted me to win felt really good.”
In those moments, it wasn’t just about furniture - it was about being seen, supported and reminded that she mattered.
Today, Trish carries a lightness and positivity that reflects how far she’s come. Her story is a powerful reminder of what community support can make possible and how transformative it is when someone feels seen and cared for.
To Trish, hope is a reminder that “there is a future self for all of us and today is just temporary”.