Vargas is president and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. He lives in La Jolla.
Walking the campus of Father Joe’s Villages’ Family Living Center, I’m blessed to see countless mothers enjoying the courtyard and playground with their children, playing, correcting misbehavior and giving gentle guidance.
For that reason, when I think of a mother who inspires me, I can’t help but think of the many mothers served at Father Joe’s Villages who show extraordinary resilience and strength in the hopes of providing better futures for their children.
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Mothers at the Village are like other mothers, but with one big difference — before seeking our assistance, their list of worries included whether their children would have a safe place to sleep at night and when they would eat their next meal.
Today, the poverty rate for single mothers is nearly five times more than the rate for married-couple families. Factors like domestic violence, limited employment opportunities, inadequate childcare options and more increase the risk of single mothers and their children becoming homeless.
From food insecurity to disproportionate violence, the trauma experienced by mothers experiencing homelessness during their time living on the streets often leads to a higher risk of negative mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. In fact, more than 50 percent of homeless mothers have experienced major depression during their lifetimes.
Yet, despite this adversity, I’ve seen so many mothers who, with the right tools, resources and support, are able to build a beautiful life for their families through their courage and persistence. Take one local woman resident for example.
When this mother’s landlord raised her rent, she could no longer afford the apartment she and her four young children had called home for two years. Due to the low vacancy rates and high rent prices in San Diego, she was unable to find a new apartment she could afford. That’s how she and her family became homeless.
“Being homeless is stressful, tiring, and depressing,” she said. “It’s hard to wake up each day and find the motivation to go on,” said the woman. But I wanted more for myself and my kids.”
After seeking assistance from Father Joe’s Villages, the mother and her children were quickly moved into the Golden Hall Bridge Shelter. There, she felt she could receive the support she needed to get back on her feet again — including meals, employment services and health care. However, just one month later, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a nationwide shutdown, that mom and her family were transferred to a federally-funded hotel for unsheltered families.
Meanwhile, her Housing Navigator from Father Joe’s Villages, continued to search for housing for the mother and her children. She was soon able to secure a two-bedroom apartment through Father Joe’s Villages’ Rapid Rehousing Program. The resident was matched to affordable housing, supportive services and short-term assistance to help her and her family achieve lasting success.
“I could see the happiness in my kids’ faces,” she said. “I was really happy to move into a safe home. It was a blessing for us.”
On Mother’s Day, let’s ensure that we’re including all mothers in our celebrations, thanks and prayers. It’s critical that we continue to honor mothers like this one, who work to ensure a better life for their children even through tremendous hardship.
Deacon Vargas is president and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. He lives in La Jolla.
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May 08, 2021 at 07:07AM
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Opinion: When I think of inspiring mothers, I think of the ones at Father Joe's Villages - The San Diego Union-Tribune
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