Meet Lucia
A Mother’s Love and Determination
Before everything changed, Lucia’s life was full in every sense of the word. She’s a single mother raising five children—three boys and two girls—each one active in school and sports. Between practices, homework, and her full-time job, she barely had a moment to rest, but she was proud of the life she’d built.
Lucia works as a direct support professional at the state school, caring for elderly and disabled individuals. She chose that work because it helps her honor her late mother, who passed away from colon cancer. “It’s like I’m giving back now,” she said. “It feels like a way to do for others what I wish I could’ve done more for her.”
For a while, things were stable. Then recently, COVID changed everything.
When Everything Fell Apart
Lucia contracted COVID at work—not once, but twice in a single month. She was sent home without pay and quickly fell behind on rent and bills. With no savings left, no nearby family to lean on, and nowhere to turn, she found herself staring down eviction.
“I didn’t know what to do,” she told us. “My mom and grandma were always the ones I could call. I applied for loans, but I just kept getting denied. I was two months behind and out of options.”
Then, one day, Lucia found Mission 911.
A Door Opens
Lucia called our office, determined to find help. She connected with one of our case managers, Ruben, who listened to her story and immediately got to work.
Through your generous support, Mission 911 was able to help Lucia catch up on rent and pay her utility bills. That assistance allowed her to move her children into a new home—just in time. “Without Mission 911,” Lucia said, “I honestly don’t know where we would’ve gone.”
With her housing secure, Lucia could focus again on what matters most: her children. She was able to buy them school clothes, reconnect their phones, and even fix the tires on the car she uses to get to work. Those small victories have added up to something much bigger—a sense of peace and stability she hadn’t felt in months.
A New Beginning
Today, Lucia and her five children are thriving in their new community. The kids ride bikes, play outside with friends, and spend warm afternoons at the pool. “They’re happier here,” Lucia said with a smile. “It feels like home again.”
While the new apartment costs more and finances remain tight, Lucia’s outlook has changed. She knows she’s not alone. Mission 911 continues to walk alongside her, helping her set goals for long-term stability and hope for a brighter future.
“Don’t Give Up.”
When we asked Lucia what she would tell another family facing a similar crisis, her answer was simple:
“Don’t give up. Even when you feel like there’s nowhere to turn, turn to Mission 911. They helped me.”
*Name has been changed for confidentiality purposes.