Last year, Carlos and his eight-year-old son Michael found themselves in a position most of us can’t imagine. After falling on tough times, they lost their home—and were forced to sleep in their family car for several nights.

Sadly, it’s not an uncommon story. Each night in our community, 600 people are homeless—and many of them are families. This year, United Way’s funding will help more than 2,200 children and adults find emergency food and shelter—and a safe place to get back on their feet again.

Fortunately, Carlos learned that he could find help at Wilson Commencement Park—which is supported by United Way’s Community Fund. Wilson is a 68-unit housing development for single-parent families who are working toward self-sufficiency and independence from welfare.
“I was in a very desperate place when I came here,” said Carlos. “But when I walked in the doors, I had a sense of hope.”

It’s that hope that he now wants to share with others.

Five out of every ten families who arrive at Wilson Commencement Park have escaped domestic abuse. While the majority of residents are women and their children, Carlos is one of two men living there now.

It’s estimated that eight out of every ten families who have gone through Wilson Commencement’s program have gone on to find stable housing and get their lives back on track successfully. Each family works on achieving social and financial stability, next-step housing strategies, and personal goals before leaving.

Today, more than a year after arriving at Wilson Commencement, Carlos is working in manufacturing—and with two years of college already under his belt, he is looking to go back to school to pursue a degree in the technology field.

“I lost touch with who I really was, and, walking in here now, I can hold my head high. That’s why I like to share my story, because they have been so good to me.”