Not long ago, a local resident we’ll call “PJ” visited our Elkins pantry, bringing with her a story of remarkable transformation.
When PJ first arrived late last year, she was in a state of distress. Having recently relocated from another part of West Virginia, she faced an unstable living situation and a potentially dangerous environment. Initially, she barely interacted with our staff, appearing fearful and overwhelmed, with her immediate need for food the only visible concern.
We were able to provide her with the nourishment she needed and began to offer support with housing resources and community referrals as she was ready to accept them. Over the next few visits, PJ slowly started to open up, engaging more with us and the resources we offered. Her visits became more frequent, and she began working with the Randolph County Housing Authority and other partner agencies.
With persistent effort, PJ pursued a Section 8 voucher through our local housing authority. When she was awarded the voucher, she collaborated with our support staff to find a suitable apartment and soon moved into her new home.
Her most recent visit was nothing short of inspiring. The change in PJ was astonishing. As she stood and spoke with us, she radiated a sense of safety and contentment. Her eyes sparkled with gratitude as she described the simple joys of her new home—turning on a light switch and seeing the room illuminate, having both cold and hot water from the faucet.
The joy she expressed for having a place of her own, where she could feel safe and have enough food, was profoundly moving. She repeatedly thanked us, but the truth is, PJ did the hard work herself. We were simply honored to be a part of her journey, offering support and encouragement along the way.
Moments like these are beyond words. Seeing the genuine joy and gratitude in PJ’s eyes for her new life is a priceless reminder of why we do what we do. We are incredibly grateful for the support we receive, which makes such transformations possible and helps us continue making a difference in people’s lives.
