Housing and Need According to My Two Perspectives: Old and New
As a child, my needs were very few, and I had more than most, if not all, of my peers. I had more expensive clothes, a bigger home, a newer car, and an exquisite jewelry collection from all over the world. I was accustomed to being a child of privilege, to the degree that I was unable to understand the concept of need. I could not comprehend poverty or hunger. And I do not recall being taught to be truly thankful for all that I had, and I surely did not believe that I would ever have something in common with those that were in desperate financial need. If I am to be painfully honest, I have to admit that I looked down on those who received financial assistance because of …show more content…
My haughty perspective of need was challenged. I was humbled when my life became one of need of financial assistance. I was in need of a home; I desperately needed a safe place I could go each day, a home where I could pray with my children without persecution or abuse, and where I could make a new life for myself and my beloved boys. I fantasized about this home for many years, but without job history or a degree, I could not get a job that would provide this safe haven for us. I didn’t know anything about programs that could help me, but when my husband was arrested for domestic violence, the shelter and victims advocate handed me a victim’s packet, which included telephone numbers for housing assistance. I had never heard of Section 8 or known anyone personally who lived in public housing. Part of me wanted to cling to the pride that my father had instilled in me, not to take handouts, and to earn my own way. However, I was in survival mode, and I saw the opportunity to receive housing assistance as a beautiful gift, not a greedy hand out. I happily sold my once treasured jewelry collection to put down a deposit for my power and housing deposit in my and safe little new home that Section 8 help me to find, and my boys and I began our new life …show more content…
Not only did the program provide me with a roof over my head, it provided me with peace and stability. For the first time in many years, I could breathe. I felt safe, and I felt loved. Housing assistance has given me the ability to focus on working to provide the best that I can for my children. Having the assistance has given me an opportunity to go to college, which is something I honestly never thought I would be blessed with the opportunity to do. Many years have passed since I first started the program, and I wish I could say that I have gotten to the point of total financial independence, but I haven’t. However, every night after telling my boys goodnight, I lie down with smile on my face, and I fall asleep with the smile in tact. I no longer shed tears on my pillow because of having nowhere to turn. I thank God each and every night that He chose to use the Section 8 program to show love to my family and to help us when I had no other solution. And although I am still on housing assistance, I know that I am making progress spiritually, emotionally, and financially. I look forward to the day when I can purchase my own home and have a stable career. But no matter how much time passes or where life takes me, I will never forget the tremendous gift that I received through Section 8 and the valuable lessons that it taught me about need, humility, and
As a child, my needs were very few, and I had more than most, if not all, of my peers. I had more expensive clothes, a bigger home, a newer car, and an exquisite jewelry collection from all over the world. I was accustomed to being a child of privilege, to the degree that I was unable to understand the concept of need. I could not comprehend poverty or hunger. And I do not recall being taught to be truly thankful for all that I had, and I surely did not believe that I would ever have something in common with those that were in desperate financial need. If I am to be painfully honest, I have to admit that I looked down on those who received financial assistance because of …show more content…
My haughty perspective of need was challenged. I was humbled when my life became one of need of financial assistance. I was in need of a home; I desperately needed a safe place I could go each day, a home where I could pray with my children without persecution or abuse, and where I could make a new life for myself and my beloved boys. I fantasized about this home for many years, but without job history or a degree, I could not get a job that would provide this safe haven for us. I didn’t know anything about programs that could help me, but when my husband was arrested for domestic violence, the shelter and victims advocate handed me a victim’s packet, which included telephone numbers for housing assistance. I had never heard of Section 8 or known anyone personally who lived in public housing. Part of me wanted to cling to the pride that my father had instilled in me, not to take handouts, and to earn my own way. However, I was in survival mode, and I saw the opportunity to receive housing assistance as a beautiful gift, not a greedy hand out. I happily sold my once treasured jewelry collection to put down a deposit for my power and housing deposit in my and safe little new home that Section 8 help me to find, and my boys and I began our new life …show more content…
Not only did the program provide me with a roof over my head, it provided me with peace and stability. For the first time in many years, I could breathe. I felt safe, and I felt loved. Housing assistance has given me the ability to focus on working to provide the best that I can for my children. Having the assistance has given me an opportunity to go to college, which is something I honestly never thought I would be blessed with the opportunity to do. Many years have passed since I first started the program, and I wish I could say that I have gotten to the point of total financial independence, but I haven’t. However, every night after telling my boys goodnight, I lie down with smile on my face, and I fall asleep with the smile in tact. I no longer shed tears on my pillow because of having nowhere to turn. I thank God each and every night that He chose to use the Section 8 program to show love to my family and to help us when I had no other solution. And although I am still on housing assistance, I know that I am making progress spiritually, emotionally, and financially. I look forward to the day when I can purchase my own home and have a stable career. But no matter how much time passes or where life takes me, I will never forget the tremendous gift that I received through Section 8 and the valuable lessons that it taught me about need, humility, and