In the last 5 years, I have started over like 30 times. But now I can’t. I have a son now. And I’m not stopping until we are completely stable and he has everything that he needs.
When Elizabeth first walked through our doors last September, she wasn’t looking for excuses. She was looking for a way forward.
Referred by Golden House, Elizabeth enrolled in our Wisconsin Works (W-2) program facing overwhelming barriers. She was homeless. She had no transportation, no childcare, and no stable housing. But she did have something powerful: determination.
Even before enrolling, Elizabeth was already applying for jobs and attending interviews. Nothing had stuck yet — but she wasn’t waiting for the “perfect moment” to start trying. She knew her son was counting on her. And she was ready to build something different this time.
Momentum from Day One
From her first appointment, Elizabeth made one thing clear: she did not want another short-term, part-time job that led nowhere. Her dream was stable, long-term employment and something she could build on.
She didn’t wait around.
By October — just one month after enrolling — Elizabeth secured employment at a local grocery store as a meat slicer. She quickly built a reputation as dependable and hardworking. Her supervisors noticed. So did her case manager, Libby.
In November, another milestone: Elizabeth was approved for an apartment and moved into stable housing.
In just two months, she had gone from homelessness to employment and housing stability.
But she wasn’t done.
Overcoming Hurdles
Childcare was one of Elizabeth’s biggest hurdles. At first, she pieced together informal arrangements and worked with her employer to adjust her schedule. It wasn’t easy — but she made it work.
Then she received exciting news: she had reached the top of the waitlist at Encompass, a local daycare.
She couldn’t wait to tell her case manager, Libby, about her plan.
“Trying to take the bus to the daycare won’t work because of the times,” she said. “But it’s just a 25-minute walk from the apartment. Then I can catch the bus that goes past the daycare and be to work by 7:02 a.m.! My shift doesn’t start until 7:15!”
That moment said everything.
Where many people might see a 25-minute walk with a toddler before work as too much work and inconvenient, Elizabeth saw an opportunity. Reliable childcare meant stability. Stability meant growth. Growth meant a better future for her son.
She wasn’t focused on how hard it would be. She was focused on how to make it happen.
Foot on the Gas Pedal
Since enrolling in W-2, Elizabeth has never slowed down. She does not look for reasons something won’t work. She looks for solutions. She works through discomfort, setbacks, and even exhaustion.
She has maintained steady employment, has secured stable housing, and continues to problem-solve transportation challenges, with a goal of obtaining reliable personal transportation next.
Most importantly, she is building the kind of consistency her son can count on.
Why Stories Like Elizabeth’s Matter
Elizabeth’s journey is a powerful reminder that potential is everywhere — but opportunity and support make the difference.
Programs like Wisconsin Works (W-2) don’t just help parents find jobs. They help remove barriers that stand in the way of long-term success. They provide structure, resources, accountability, and encouragement when families need it most.
Elizabeth once said she had started over nearly 30 times. This time, she isn’t starting over. She’s building stability. She’s creating momentum. She’s showing her son what resilience looks like. And she’s not stopping until they have everything they need.
Are you a parent in need of extra support? Learn more about Wisconsin Works (W-2) today!
