Story of Hope: From Uncertainty to Home
Three years ago, Jacqueline never would have imagined where life’s circumstances would lead her and her 19-year-old grandson, Wyatt.
What followed was a difficult and deeply personal journey - one shaped by her ongoing health challenges and Wyatt’s struggles with mental health. Together, they faced something neither had planned for: the loss of stable housing.
When Life Changes in an Instant
After moving to Oregon, Jacqueline was doing her best to make ends meet on a limited Social Security income, and alongside her, Wyatt was working toward his GED while facing challenges of his own. The emotional and financial strains became too much, and then car trouble was the final straw. “All it takes is a few things that drain you,” says Jacqueline.
Last January, with no ability to pay rent, they had to leave their home - walking away from safety, security and nearly all of their belongings.
They took shelter in a camper in the woods near Prineville, without electricity or running water. It was devastating. But even then, Jacqueline didn’t lose hope. With a quiet strength, she kept moving forward. Her spirit - hopeful, positive and grounded in faith - became their anchor.
“Surprisingly, I knew that I could start again. You have all this stuff in your life and you take it for granted. I’ve been rich at times. I’ve been poor. I’ve walked away from things for personal reasons. Our lives and who we are and what we do for other people…being who you are is more important.”
A Path Forward: Hope for What’s Ahead
With support from NeighborImpact, they found housing in La Pine. And then Furnish Hope stepped in to help make that space a home. Today, they are in a place of stability and possibility. “Now we get to be who we are,” Jacqueline says.
Jacqueline’s love for Wyatt is unwavering. Her belief in his future is unshakable. When asked what hope means to her, she doesn’t hesitate:
“Hope means believing there is a future out there and you don’t give up. Hope is what energizes you every day to get up and do what you have to do.”
- Jacqueline | FH Recipient
Their journey is a powerful reminder that homelessness is not a single story - it can happen to anyone. But it is also a testament to what people can endure and overcome when they hold onto hope. Because sometimes, moving forward means leaving everything behind.