Tiara Johnson of Chattanooga has been homeless before, as a single mother, but worked her way back to stability.
When she was married with two kids and a baby on the way, it became apparent that the whole family could become homeless if they did not find new housing. The Neediest Cases Fund helped the family with a one-time donation and helped them get back on their feet.
Johnson's children are Sundi, age 9; Lovely, age 2; and nine-month-old Bella.
"Sundi, my oldest, she has been through it all with me, for everything. From being homeless to finding stability, to graduating college. She is also autistic and has ADHD. That is sometimes a challenge, but we are pushing through," Johnson said.
While Johnson and her daughter were living in the shelter, Johnson was able to go back to school to start a career in nursing.
"They encouraged me to do better," she said.
Johnson said that, since then, she "found housing, got married and expanded the family. Now I feel comfortable."
She was working as a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home, and her husband Michael was working two part-time jobs. As Johnson got further along in her pregnancy, she had to stop working.
At the same time, there was structural damage at the home her family was renting. The landlord asked the family to move out so that repairs to the home could be made.
"That put us in a position where I could become homeless again. We didn't have any place to go," Johnson said.
Johnson noted that having to move, plus needing a deposit and a first month's rent up front, would use up all of their money.
"It was fearful for me because I had already been homeless. It caused me to have depression and anxiety. My husband didn't want me to lose the baby. He was working three jobs. He was doing all he could do but it wasn't enough," Johnson said. "So I asked for assistance."
The Partnership for Families, Children and Adults helped connect Johnson with the Neediest Cases Fund. The fund provided Johnson with $750 to help with the housing costs.
The Neediest Cases Fund was started by Adolph Ochs, former owner of the New York Times and the Chattanooga Times, in 1914. The fund helps people with one-time donations to get them back on track and bring them some stability. The United Way of Greater Chattanooga manages the fund.
"We can use [the fund] for rent, utilities, to help them get into a home, or stay in a home. There's not a lot of this type of funding in our area. A lot of this is for prevention of homelessness," said Carmen Hutson, director of stability and community programming at the United Way of Greater Chattanooga.
"I was introduced to the Neediest Cases, and it was a tremendous help," Johnson said. "When the fund came in, it gave us breathing room to pay next month's rent. It helped us prepare for the baby, too."
Johnson said it was a challenging time, but it also built character for her and her husband.
"We found out that there are people looking out for us," she said.
Since then, Johnson has gone back to work, and she passed her board exams to become a nurse. Her husband is also working a better job, too, she said.
"I am looking forward to buying a home in the next few years. I continue to have no doubt that it's going to be OK. I don't have to worry," Johnson said.
Donations for the Neediest Cases Fund are being accepted through December and can be made online at timesfreepress.com/neediestcases.
Contact Rebecca Hazen at news@timesfreepress.com.