A Note to Our Readers: The individuals in this post are representative of actual Nest guests. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect our guests’ anonymity. Their stories are real. We see these stories at Nest frequently: working seniors pushed out of housing, families fleeing violence, children wishing for homes, aging caregivers, parents separated by mental illness, and guests who return to give back. These stories are happening right now in our community.
This holiday season, we asked our guests a simple question: “What is your holiday wish?”
Their answers were impactful in their simplicity.
Bill, 68, who worked his whole life before rising costs and a medical emergency pushed him into homelessness, wished for stability. A place to stay. A routine he could count on, the ability to stop worrying about tomorrow.
Maya, 7 years old, lived in the shelter with her mother, while her brothers and father lived in another shelter. She only wanted to live together as a family.
Leigh, 8 years old, staying at our shelter with her mom, wished for “a bed of her own.” Not a mansion. Just a home, not having to sleep in the car at night.
David, 67, caring for his son Ben (25), who lives with a traumatic brain injury, wished for “a home together.” Stability as a family after being evicted when rent exceeded his fixed income.
Beth, separated from her three children by severe mental illness that started as postpartum depression, wished to be close to her children again. To rebuild. To be the mother they need.
Because of your donations, many of these wishes came true for guests at Nest this past year.
Bill found stability through our case management. Maya and her family are in transitional housing. Leigh and her mom are working toward permanent housing. David and Ben connected to disability services and housing assistance. Beth has been living next door to her children for nine months, slowly rebuilding their relationship.
Your generosity made every single one of these transformations possible. And the countless other stories we weren’t able to tell during this holiday giving season.
And Then There’s James
About a year ago, a man we’ll call James walked through our shelter doors.
He was down on his luck, between jobs, and he needed somewhere to land and regroup. He wasn’t sure what came next, but he just knew he needed help.
James worked with our case manager to navigate housing applications and benefits. He attended job training. He connected with other guests and built community. He showed up for himself every day.
Within a few months, James was housed.
We celebrated with him and watched him walk out our doors into a new chapter.
The Encounter
A few weeks ago, our executive director was at a community volunteer event.
He saw a familiar face: James.
He was volunteering, talking with community members, showing up for others the way others had shown up for him.
When he saw our director, James walked over. He thanked her.
“Nest is the voice for people like me. What you do helps the community understand how to support unhoused people; you speak for us when we don’t have a voice. I’m doing so well, and I know it is because of my time at Nest.”
Why This Matters
We are a donation-based organization.
Every program we offer, emergency shelter, case management, connections to housing, mental health support, and job training, is funded by donors like you.
The funds we receive during this season of giving allow us to:
- Keep our doors open.
- Employ trained staff who walk alongside guests
- Provide a safe place to sleep, with two meals provided
- Connect people to services
- Say YES when someone desperately needs help
James came to us because donors made room for him.
Bill found stability because donors funded case management.
Maya found home because donors believed families deserve to be together.
Beth reconnected with her children because donors supported extended mental health services.
Your donations don’t just provide beds; they provide pathways, second chances, and healthy futures.
This Is the Final Week
This is the last week of our end-of-year fundraiser.
There are more Bills, Mayas, Leighs, Davids, Beths, and Jameses who need us.
Right now, someone is walking through our doors with a wish for stability, safety, reunion, or the chance to rebuild.
Your donation today impacts our ability to serve those in need, how deeply we can support them, and how many wishes we can help come true.
James went from guest to volunteer. From receiving help to giving back.
This is what your donations create, not just individual transformation, but community-wide change. Thank you for believing in recovery. Thank you for making wishes come true.
There’s still time to give.
