Stories From Hope House of Sedona's Families
A Mother's Story
“Tracy” arrived at Hope House after living in her car with her two children. Despite her challenging circumstances, Tracy demonstrated remarkable resilience. In a short time, she secured employment at a local hospital as a phlebotomist and took a second job with UPS to build her savings.
Her determination didn’t stop there. Tracy began law enforcement training with the tribal community, equipping herself with new skills for a brighter future. With her sons now established at the local school, Tracy and her family recently transitioned to affordable housing in Sedona, marking a significant step toward stability and success.
A Teenage Boy's Story
“Jordan,” an 11-year-old boy, embodies the transformative power of hope and support. When Jordan moved into Hope House, he faced significant behavioral challenges, including frequent tantrums and struggles in school. His outlook seemed bleak.
However, with professional mental healthcare services and compassionate care, Jordan's life took a dramatic turn. His behavioral issues stabilized, giving him a foundation for success. Hope House staff also empowered Jordan’s mother by teaching her how to advocate for his educational needs. With these tools, she ensured Jordan received the necessary support at school.
Jordan adopted vital skills to manage his emotions and actions through a behavioral contract designed by Hope House. Today, he is thriving. He has not had a tantrum in over three months and is excelling academically, all thanks to the collaboration between his dedicated mother, our skilled staff, and caring volunteers.
A Teenage Girl's Story
“Diana,” a teenage girl who lived with her mother at Hope House, faced significant educational gaps and instability due to homelessness. Despite these challenges, Diana’s time at Hope House became a period of transformation. She caught up academically, reconnected with her father, and celebrated milestones, including turning 16—a new and joyous experience for her.
One heartwarming moment was when Diana and her mother picked up their beloved cat, Furry, before heading to Phoenix to start a new chapter. With a new job for her mother, a new school for Diana, and a stable home, their future looks bright.
Stories From Sedona's Homeless Children
“We’ve lived in a mini-van for two and a half years. Some of my family, mostly my mom, sleep in a tent. My dad has a job, but it doesn’t pay much and because we move around a lot, he doesn’t live with us so we don’t see him every day. I go to the Junior High and my two siblings are at West Sedona Elementary. Sometimes we take a shower at the school, but it’s kind of embarrassing. We have some other friends that are homeless and they’re really nice to us, but last winter, especially when it snowed, we all got really cold.”
Artwork by Sedona Red Rock Junior High 7th and 8th graders
Artwork by Sedona Red Rock Junior High 7th and 8th graders
“My Mom used to work for a family in Camp Verde that had a big place, and she did all of their landscaping, and we got to live with them. They decided to sell their house and the new owners didn’t want us to stay. She looked for a new place for us but couldn’t find anything we could afford. She decided to talk to my aunt who lives in the Village of Oak Creek to see if we could stay with her. My Dad is my aunt’s brother, but he’s not around. My aunt said my little brother and I could stay with her, but she doesn’t like my Mom so she can’t stay. My Mom has to sleep in her car and works landscaping jobs during the day. She picks us up at my aunt’s every morning and takes us to the bus stop. In the afternoon, she meets us at the bus stop and sometimes takes us to Wendy’s or the park so we can do our homework. On the weekends we get to “camp” with Mom. She says it’s like an adventure, but I hate it when she has to leave.”
“My Mom finally escaped an abusive relationship and took us to a safe place. We stayed at the Verde Valley Sanctuary for as long as they could let us. They set us up in some temporary house which was a great help, but after their financial help ended we couldn’t find a place to rent that we could afford, so now my two siblings and I live with our Mom in our car. Mom gets us to school every day at West Sedona Elementary even though that’s hard sometimes.”
Artwork by Sedona Red Rock Junior High 7th and 8th graders