​Regina and her family enrolled their daughter in Verner’s Early Head Start program in mid-August of 2019. At that time, she was staying in a shelter and utilizing public transportation. If you are familiar with shelter guidelines, then you know that she had to be up in the morning at 5 am and out in the elements every day, whether rain sleet or snow from 6am until 4pm. She endured harsh wind and rain at times to bring her child to school. On top of all this, she was simultaneously holding down a job as a server at a fast food restaurant and pursuing a Human Resources degree at AB-Tech.

Then, in January 2020, Regina was balancing unstable housing between shelters and a friend's home, but as spring approached she was facing homelessness again. She was determined not to split up her family, so she sought refuge in local campgrounds and area motel rooms. Amid chaos, she managed to secure reliable transportation.

With transportation, employment opportunities were unlimited. In August, Regina landed a job with Amazon and was promoted within two months. She went from crew member to crew leader.
​
In December, Regina received some amazing news: She heard from the Asheville Housing Authority that – after several years – her name had finally come to the top on the waitlist. This news could not have come at a better time. 2020 may have been a difficult year for many, yet 2020 also brought the family their new residence that will be more than a house, but a home!

---