February 2021 Newsletter

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Together Again

Traditional nuclear families, of parents and dependent children living in one household, are becoming less the norm. There is an increase in divorce, couples without marriage commitments, and mothers with children of more than one father without their personal or financial support. Addictions and school dropouts are problematic. There is a generational cycle developing, passing along one generation’s problems to the next in compounded form. Champions are needed to step into the gap. Grandparents and great- grandparents have become a major source of sustaining their families. Understandably, they are not always up to the task. And the role of Gospel Rescue Missions is shifting from the single man to the family.

Maggie (20), Cody (2), and Dominic (7 months) are right in the middle of this social trend. They were all born into it. An abused child is raising abused children, not physical abuse, but abandonment and neglect. Maggie is on her own, a child of divorced parents, an unstable upbringing, and addiction issues.

She said, “My grandparents have been like my parents pretty much. They are my emotional support. I feel like they are my only family. They are all I know.” They are the great- grandparents of Maggie’s children and help her with them. Indeed, Cody lives with them, and they have guardianship of him. Maggie is at Samaritan Inn with Dominic and has Cody for visits and overnights when she is not at work. There is a joint effort here, of Samaritan Inn along with the third and fourth generations, to give children hope for a better life.

Faith and work ethic have been passed down to Maggie and are supported here. Her grandparents took her to church as she was growing up. Now in our children’s chapel, there is a natural continuation of the foundation of faith she was raised with for her and her children. That older generation’s work ethic has influenced her to get a job. She works full-time as a caregiver at an assisted living facility. And gratitude has not been lost. Child Protective Services referred her to Samaritan Inn. Maggie said, “It was good advice. I like it here. All the people are nice. It’s a good support system.” The generational cycle of homelessness ends here.