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“I Moved Out With A Change of Clothes for the Kids and Three
Mattresses.”
Mignon Trelles’ marriage had reached an impasse. With three
children, two of them with autism, and a husband who was not supportive, “the
emotional turmoil was more than I or my children could stand.”
One night it all came to a head. It was time to move. “I
left with a change of clothes and three mattresses,” she
says. With three children she had difficulty locating a shelter.
She was referred to Initiative for Affordable Housing’s Homeless
Program.
“I had a full-time job working as a cake decorator at Brewsters and wanted a new start and a safe place for me and my children.
The Initiative social services staff referred me to one of their
apartment communities. One of the complexes had a vacancy and it
was something I could afford and at the same time was near where
I grew up in Decatur.”
Once she moved in, Initiative gave them donated clothing and furniture. “Within
two months, after finding other needed stuff, our home was very
livable.” Although she doesn’t participate in the Initiative
Homeless Program, the Initiative staff nonetheless stays in touch. “They
call me up, to make sure we’re doing OK. They help us find
clothes for the kids if they need them.”
In August, she saw a flier, announcing the start-up of a food co-op
at Sol Luna Park. “I was immediately interested,” she
said. “With
my twenty-two years’ experience in retail, this was somewhere
I felt I could contribute.” Mignon was asked to coordinate
the ordering and pickup of the food from the Atlanta Community
Food Bank, and delivering the food to the Sol Luna Park community
room. “As a single parent on a budget, I know what’s
important to buy for our co-op members, products like toilet paper,
detergent, staples, things we might not be able to afford at the
end of the month at a grocery store.”
“The Initiative staff and its housing program have helped
me and our family get on an even keel. We now have safe housing
and new friends. I find myself making smarter decisions about my
life.”
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