When Christine shares her story, she does so with honesty and courage. There was a time when everything in her life unraveled at once. She found herself at Augusta Health Crossroads following a suicide attempt, overwhelmed by depression and the weight of circumstances that felt impossible to escape. Stability was slowly disappearing.

“I lost my house. I lost my car. I lost my job. Lost my children. I lost my life,” she says.

Choosing Hope and a Fresh Start

After moving in with someone she trusted, a relationship that became an engagement, she woke up one morning to another devastating moment. She found her fiancé on the floor, caught in the height of his addiction. In that instant, the reality of what she was facing became painfully clear. She called the homeless service line in Charlottesville, VA and was referred to a women’s domestic abuse survivor shelter, where she stayed for nine months. That season marked the beginning of rebuilding.

Determined to Rebuild

Christine worked hard to regain her independence. She secured a job at Target and stayed there for five years, eventually becoming a trainer who mentored team members. She found purpose in helping others and took pride in her work. Then, in what felt like another sudden shift, a simple misstep changed everything. While switching children with her ex-husband, she stepped into a hole and fell, breaking her tailbone, herniating her spine, and dislocating her shoulder, ankle, and knee. The injuries made it impossible to continue working. Medical bills mounted. She lost her job. Once again, housing instability was a frightening possibility.

Stability That Creates Opportunity

Knowing the waiting list was long, Christine applied for assistance through the Waynesboro Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher Program and held onto hope. When she received the call that assistance was available, it meant stability during one of the most uncertain seasons of her life. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is designed to do exactly that: it provides rental assistance based on a household’s income, ensuring families are not burdened beyond what they can reasonably afford. When someone has little or no income, the program can cover the full rent. As income increases, the resident’s portion gradually adjusts. This structure allows individuals and families to remain housed while working toward greater financial independence.

A Reminder We All Need Support

Christine’s story reflects a reality that many families face. Across the country, households identified as ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed, are working hard yet living paycheck to paycheck. For many people, one medical event, one accident, or one unexpected crisis can trigger a financial spiral. Her experience is a reminder of how quickly life can change and how vital stable housing is during times of crisis.

Finding Purpose Again

Today, Christine works at Embrace, a community center offering medical clinics, food assistance, clothing, and other essential resources. Because of her disability, she works limited hours, but she has regained something even more important than a paycheck: her purpose and hope for the future. She plans to continue growing in her role, support her son as he attends school full time, and build toward long term stability.

“Between WRHA and Embrace, I’m happy,” she says. “I’m not struggling. I’m not just surviving anymore. I’m living.”

A Future Filled with Possibility

Christine’s journey is a testament to resilience, community support, and the power of stable housing. Sometimes the most meaningful impact comes from helping someone through the hardest chapter of their life. When that support allows someone to move from surviving to truly living, the impact extends far beyond one person.

If you or someone you know is facing housing instability, help is available. Learn more about local resources and programs that can provide stability, support, and hope.

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