Family Stories

The Dixon family, De’Anthony, Jessica and kids, are proof that hard work, determination and wanting the best for your family will pay off eventually, despite what life throws at you.

We all know that it only takes one catastrophic life event to wreak havoc on any family. For the Russi family (mom, dad and their four children), that event was a serious illness.

Anthony, Portia and their two young children arrived at New Directions Shelter in August of 2018 after finding themselves homeless due to unsafe living conditions, including an extremely unscrupulous landlord.

Audrey and her children entered The Home Connection from an emergency shelter in September of 2018. Her family began experiencing homelessness after falling behind on rent and facing eviction. 

Shawn, Shannon and Leland (9 years old) entered New Directions Shelter on October 22, 2019, just 28 days after moving to Des Moines.

Emily and her three children, Lilly Ann - 12, Abraham – 7, and Karson – 6, came to Hawthorn Hill’s The Home Connection program from House of Mercy by way of Leon, Iowa. .

Tracy, 53 years old, came to Hawthorn Hill's New Directions Shelter with her 21-year-old Jazlyn and Jazlyn's two young sons Jamir and Jaiden from Waterloo. Tracy and Jazlyn were accepted into the West Des Moines Rapid Rehousing program.

Tayo and his 5 children have been in The Home Connection program since January 2014. This spring Tayo's oldest son Fiyin graduated from high school and started full time at Iowa State University Fall semester of 2016.

When Amie and her newborn daughter arrived at New Directions Shelter in October 2014, her life changed forever. She now lives in an apartment, has a shift supervisor job, does volunteer work, and believes she is now a better mother.

After moving her children from Texas, Juanita successfully completing a chemical dependency treatment program, joined the Home Connection program and enrolled in the social worker program at DMACC.