Francia & Angela Found Housing!

Francia is 70 years old when she moves to Boston. She urgently needs treatment for uterine cancer, so she finds a room in an apartment near the hospital.

After a few months, Francia’s landlord takes her to housing court, claiming that she missed payments—even though she hasn’t. She's been paying her rent in cash, so there’s no paper trail to point to.

The landlord evicts Francia and she becomes homeless.

In the shelter system, Francia's health quickly deteriorates. She makes a friend named Angela, who is also homeless. Angela stays by Francia’s side when she is bedridden. She tries to get Francia care when she needs it most.

The cancer treatments have drained Francia’s savings. Once employed as an accountant, she can no longer afford food or basic necessities.

She also needs foot surgery, but her doctor cannot approve it until she has a stable place to recover. 

Francia and her friend Angela find themselves in a city-run shelter. Each morning, they need to remove their limited belongings and carry them with them during the day. At night they wait in line, hoping to get beds near enough to keep an eye out for one another.

That's where WLP staff members meet them, during screening appointments for our women-only overnight shelter-to-housing program.

Recognizing their friendship, we assign Francia and Angela to private rooms right next door to one another. For the first time in years, Francia and Angela have their own space to live.

Thanks to you, we are immediately able to help Francia schedule her foot surgery, which goes off without a hitch. 

While she begins to heal, she eats nutritious meals, delivered daily by volunteers from our Newbury Street shelter. She chats with Angela and feels slightly better each day. 

Then, Francia is matched with Sheyla, a Women’s Lunch Place case manager, who helps her successfully apply for SNAP. Sheyla also signs Francia up for a cash benefit that helps elderly people with disabilities. 

A few months later, scammers steal all the money Francia has been able to save while staying in our shelter. Sheyla helps her recover the funds, deftly moving through the bureaucratic barriers. 

Despite the obstacles, Francia remains kind and optimistic, making many friends in the building. She forms a strong bond with Sheyla, who she sees as a granddaughter. 

The little wins add up, and before long, she is ready to apply for housing. 

Because Francia has been homeless for so long—she is now 75, with multiple disabilities—the housing search moves quickly. Often, it can take years. 

Just recently, Francia moved into her new apartment.

We provided bedding, kitchen supplies, furniture, and little touches—like throw pillows—to make it homey. 

Even better... Angela has also moved into the same building! They will remain next door neighbors in their new homes. 

The journey isn’t over—Sheyla is now helping Francia find a home healthcare aide to ensure her healing process continues. She will continue to meet with Francia and Angela to ensure they build ties in their new neighborhood and maintain connections to our community and their church.

These transformations are possible because of the generosity of people like you. Thank you for believing in our mission, and for helping women like Francia and Angela live the dignified lives they deserve.