A Young Mother’s Quick Path to Stability and Safety

By Nneka D. Coxeff

Alivia, a single mother, found herself living in her car for months, struggling to provide for her young daughter while trying to make ends meet. Despite working full-time for a cleaning company, the rising challenges of living without stable housing made it difficult to save enough for basic needs. Sometimes, she could scrape together enough money to afford a night at a motel. The emotional toll of living in her car weighed heavily on her, but she never gave up on the hope of building a better future for herself and her child.

In February, Alivia reached out to Council for the Homeless after hearing about the Housing Hotline. She was connected with Brian, a member of our Outreach Team who works with young adults 18 to 24 years old. After the intake process, Brian immediately recognized Alivia’s potential and knew with the right support, she could turn her life around. Alivia had no rental history, which presented a challenge, but she was determined to find stability for herself and her daughter, Willow. 

Using the diversion approach, which provides one-time financial support and coaching, Brian helped Alivia navigate the apartment search process. In just a couple of weeks, they found a unit Alivia could afford. Council for the Homeless covered the application fees, move-in costs, and a month and a half of rent. Brian’s quick and strategic support ensured that Alivia didn’t have to remain in survival mode on the streets, a key priority of his work with first-time renters. 

Just weeks after reaching out for help, Alivia moved into her new home — a place where she could finally feel safe and secure. The impact was immediate. Prior to moving into her new home, Alivia shared that Willow had been acting out at daycare and while just being with her. She had been potty trained for quite a while; and yet, with the circumstances, she had started to have accidents more and more frequently. However, since moving into their new home, Willow’s behavior has improved substantially and the accidents have stopped. Alivia is grateful for the stability and safety her new home provides for herself and her daughter.

“Brian was amazing and acted so quickly, and now I feel safe,” Alivia said. “I’m excited for the future and working hard toward a promotion at work. Eventually I’d like to go back to school and earn my GED.”

Alivia’s journey is a testament to the power of swift, targeted support and the importance of helping a household end their homelessness as early as possible. The longer someone experiences homelessness, the more complicated their situation becomes and the harder it is to resolve.

The journey to securing housing stability takes as long as it takes. The goal is always “as quick as possible.” With a strong support system and the right resources, Alivia and her daughter are now on a path toward a brighter future.

Join Us in Preventing and Ending Homelessness in Clark County 

Alivia’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support at the right time, lives can change quickly and profoundly. Every day, individuals and families in our community face housing crises.

You can be a part of the impact.

Your generosity and support helps ensure that more people like Alivia and Willow can find safety, stability, and hope. Make a donation today.

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Nneka D. Coxeff, communications manager, leads external messaging for Council for the Homeless. With over twenty years of experience in media and public relations — and more than a decade dedicated to the nonprofit sector — she brings a deep commitment to advocacy and storytelling that upholds mission integrity. Nneka is proud to serve Clark County, where she resides with her family.