Living in the Shadows: A family in need

Living in the Shadows is a monthly blog written by the City of Auburn’s Anti-homelessness Outreach Coordinator Matt Landis.

I want to share a quick story of collaboration and express my appreciation for City of Auburn Officer Suzie Conner. She contacted me late in the afternoon last week about a couple living on C St. NE in their vehicle. If she hadn’t noticed leaking coming from the RV, she likely wouldn’t have stopped to investigate further and actually been able to speak to the individuals inside, Aaliyah and Clinton. It turned out that inside were a Micronesian couple and their one-month-old baby boy.

Initially while driving to this call, I definitely felt a sense of concern for the baby. Ultimately however upon arrival, I could tell that they are good parents but just needed a little bit of handholding to take the next step.

Further, we connected them with Salvation Army about permanent housing and they will be following up with them tomorrow by phone. We also contacted Mary‘s Place Family intake line this evening. We were able to get them into afamily shelter where they can also park their RV in Bellevue at the Mary’s Place Bellevue program.

They headed up there soon after and will have all the additional support they need for themselves and their beautiful baby boy. Additionally, they will move from there directly into permanent housing. As a parent of two including a 10-month-old baby boy, this certainly tugged at my heartstrings.

I am thankful that they were willing to go and ultimately, this will allow them to exit homelessness in the City of Auburn and move forward in life. They are also so young themselves. Aaliyah is 19 and Clinton is 27. They have been working to get back on their feet and just needed a little bit of assistance with it.

I am so grateful every day for the collaborative spirit of our folks here at the City of Auburn. I am a big believer in stopping every now and then and reflecting on stories like this. Just wanted to pass along my thanks for Suzy as well; it was neat to be a part of it.