Tanya and her family wanted to find a place that they could settle into. They had very particular needs, especially specialized medical care, and they moved across states to find it.
The family packed their belongings, said their goodbyes, and took a train to Washington state. When they arrived, someone stole all their money.
“We didn’t know what to do,” Tanya said. “We didn’t have any backup or savings. We had packed everything for the trip. We were just stuck.”
They didn’t know anyone here, and they were struggling to figure out their next move. It wasn’t until a chance encounter with a Parks Department employee changed their direction.
“The parks worker saw us and came up to us asking if we were OK,” Tanya said. “I told her, ‘No, we didn’t have anywhere to go.’ So, she took us to Tent City.”
At Tent City, they found out about Mary’s Place.
“We got into Mary’s Place, but David couldn’t stay with us,” Tanya said.
David had to remain in Tent City. What they needed was a long-term solution where they could all live together again.
Tanya worked with a caseworker at Mary’s Place and a former Compass staff member to figure out their next steps where the whole family could be together. They applied and found housing at one of Compass’s affordable housing programs.
The family moved in, all together.
“It was such a relief to be able to all be back together,” Tanya said. “We were safe. It’s been almost ten years now since we’ve been here. We love it here.”
Tanya and David raised their daughters at Compass. Her oldest has talked about studying Veterinary Services at university and right now works at a local pet store. The youngest is the primary caregiver of their new puppy, Chi Chi, and is very active in the Compass youth community.
“She loves doing the programs here,” Tanya said. “She likes the friends that she has made. She’s always busy!”
Tanya and her family joined Compass in this year’s Pride Parade
Tanya is one of those people that you just feel comfortable around right from the jump. She is caring and funny and has been an important part of the Compass community.
She stays involved too. She joined with other residents to recently write letters to the city about a traffic revision that was sorely needed. She takes part in Compass programs like Bingo and going to sporting events. All the while, she keeps a positive attitude and outlook.
The family is safe, secure, and thriving while living at Compass, and Tanya made it happen.