12 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2017 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2017 13 Very Inspiring Parent AWARD Homeless to Hopeful to Helpful By AliciaWanek LOCAL MOM NOW GIVES BACK TO THE SHELTER THAT HOUSED HER FAMILY Today Christina Marie describes herself as an advocate, an author, a life coach, a full-time working mother of three and a public speaker. Eight years ago, outside of “mother,” the only word she used to describe herself was “homeless.” “Sometimes I can’t believe I lived through that,” reflects the McKinney mother. She had taken a leap of faith and left Oregon to move to Texas alongside her sister, in the midst of a failing marriage with two young boys in tow. It didn’t take long before circumstances led her to what she now calls her lowest point—sleeping in her car in a grocery store parking lot, afraid of every noise she heard outside, just praying that God would help her figure out where to go and what to do. As fate would have it, she took her son to spend his birthday money at The Samaritan Inn thrift store in McKinney. There she learned about the only homeless shelter in Collin County and was able to secure the last available room in one of the family wings. Less than six months later, Christina had secured a full-time position at a residential screening company and was discharged from the shelter in time to cook Thanksgiving dinner with her children in their own apartment, thanks to sponsorship that initially helped her with rent and food. “That Thanksgiving was very surreal,” she says. “I’d left everything with my ex-husband, and I’d moved into our apartment with all our possessions in tote bags. It was such a transitional time, but it felt so good to be on our own. I learned that all that matters really was life, family and love.” What seemed then to be one of the worst times in her life has ultimately helped Christina to build on her success today. Residents at The Samaritan Inn must be willing to participate in a comprehensive program aimed at moving toward self- sufficiency, and though she admits it was difficult, she realized, “I need to do it like they tell me, so I can be successful.” And she did. “TheSamaritanInntaughtmehowtoovercomeadversitywhen it comes again,” Christina says. “I don’t worry about being okay anymore.” Last year she was laid off when her position was eliminated, and she faced a custody battle over her third son, who was born after she left Samaritan Inn, but she says, “This time I knew I could get myself back on track on my own.” Now that her life is stable, she’s dedicating herself to giving back to the place that means so much to her. Christina serves on the nonprofit’s special events committee where she secures sponsorships, garners raffle and auction items and helps with decorations for events such as Rock the Inn or the annual gala. She often meets with potential donors to discuss her experiences at the Inn and “to show them what they’re giving to,” she says. Beyond her dedication to the shelter, Christina has authored a book, A Day in the Life of Homeless Shoes, telling her story and how she overcame her struggles. “I want to be an advocate for people to let them know it can be okay.” Her vision is to have the book available at intake for every new resident and to donate a portion of book sales back to the Inn. She endeavors now to be an example to her three boys. “I want to help my boys succeed. There’s only so much of me, so I try to give them the tools to be great men even when I’m not around.” She also knows that showing them the value of giving back is an important lesson. “I feel humble and privileged to be able to speak out,” Christina shares. No doubt her story gives people the courage to believe they too can rise above. Forherdeterminationtoovercomeadversity,hercommitment to raising young men of character, and her dedication to giving back to helping others affected by homelessness, we’re proud to award Christina Marie our Very Inspiring Parent (VIP) Award. -Christina Marie Christina could not be more proud of her sons' accomplishments. (Above) Isaiah, now age 16, celebrates high school graduation with older brother Elijah, now 20. The boys were ages 9 and 12 when they were living at Samaritan Inn. Both of the older boys are role models for little brother Noah, age 5. (Below) Noah, flanked by his big brothers, graduates from preschool. “SOMETIMES I CAN’T BELIEVE I LIVED THROUGH THAT.” SUMMER ATTHE SAMARITAN INN BY ERIN WANEK Last summer I had the amazing opportunity to intern at The Samaritan Inn homeless shelter through the Plano Mayor’s Summer Internship Program. During my time there, I gained an appreciation for the scope of homelessness as an issue that impacts our community. My favorite parts of the internship were the dayswhenIwasabletovisittheshelterbuilding and interact with some of the residents there. It gave me a deeper personal understanding of the caring atmosphere and bonds formed between the staff and all the people who have stayed at the shelter.  There’salotrequiredtotakecareof160people, 1/3 of whom are children, to help them with daily needs while working to lead them to a life of self-sufficiency. On one occasion, I was able to spend the day with the children, and it made me wonder what the next steps were for them and their families and how they’d been impacted by their homelessness at such a young age. By the end of the summer, I was thankful to have been chosen to be involved with an organization that was more than just a job. I began to see that the marketing and communication I was doing in my position had a broader purpose after seeing the plight of the individuals working to make life better for themselves and their families. TheSamaritanInn.org Editor’sNote:Toapplyforahighschoolinternshiplike Erin’s,lookforopportunitiesinyourcity. Herearea coupletogetyoustarted: MayorHarryLaRosiliere,Cityof Plano,planomayorinterns.org MayorMikeRawlings, CityofDallas,mayorsinterns.org