On Giving Tuesday, Hope Starts Here
More than 25 years ago, life unraveled for Brigitte. She lost her job, slipped into depression, and, as she puts it, “I just gave up.”
After a period of homelessness on the streets, Brigitte found a safe place to sleep thanks to a church on Arch Street. It was there she first connected with Project HOME’s outreach team.
“Why are you here?” they asked gently. “Because I don’t have anywhere to go,” Brigitte replied.
That simple exchange changed everything.
One night, outreach workers returned with news: they had found a place for Brigitte in a long-term shelter where she could begin rebuilding her life and re-entering the workforce. Moments like this—moments of connection and possibility—are made stronger because people like you choose to give to Project HOME.
Today, your generosity can go even further. Thanks to the Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund and their matching gift of $10,000, every Giving Tuesday donation will be doubled—opening more doors for people on their journey HOME.
After a few years in shelter, Brigitte learned about a new Project HOME residence: Ruth Williams House at the Gene and Marlene Epstein Building. In December 2021, she moved into her very own apartment.
“My first night, I was so excited. I didn’t even sleep in the bed, I slept on the floor,” she reflects. “I wanted to feel close to the ground and believe this was really mine. I knew this was where I was going to be for a long time.”
Today, she is part of the Resident Advisory Board and Tenant Council, where she uses her lived experience to guide others and help new residents feel welcome when they join the Project HOME community.
“It’s amazing when you first come HOME. It takes a bit to adjust, because feeling safe again can take time, but this is a beautiful place,” she shares. “Project HOME is a steppingstone for me to find the resources within myself that I haven’t had in a long time.”
Brigitte is looking toward the future with hope, and she knows exactly how much a gift can mean. “Every gift makes a difference to someone who needs a chance,” she says.
This Giving Tuesday, hope starts here, with you. Together, let’s open more doors, ignite new beginnings, and start something powerful for those still waiting for a place to call HOME.
