A Journey of Resilience: Ms. Washington

When Ms. Vivia Washington first came to Friendship Place in March, she was living in a shed and seeking help to purchase fuel oil. Despite her difficult circumstances, she was determined to find stable housing, even though her limited income made the search incredibly challenging.

With a little encouragement from our staff, Ms. Washington completed a HUD application. After some time passed without much contact, she returned last month to share that she had been approved for housing. However, the paperwork she received was confusing, and she wasn’t sure how to move forward. Our team sat with her, reviewed the documents, and explained the process in simple steps.

On August 18, 2025, during lunch at Friendship Place, Ms. Washington joyfully reported that she will be moving into her new home within the next two weeks. She expressed deep gratitude for the support she received, but our staff reminded her that her resilience, determination, and willingness to follow through are what made all the difference.

Ms. Washington’s story is a powerful reminder that hope and hard work can lead to life-changing outcomes. We are honored to walk alongside her on this journey and celebrate this new beginning with her.