Keep Going Until You Get Your Yes

When Monica arrived at Calvary Women’s Services, she had two goals in mind: housing and employment.

After experiencing homelessness following the death of her sister and a difficult period of housing instability, she knew she needed a new beginning. During her interview with Calvary’s Good Hope Program Manager, Dawn, she was asked what she hoped to accomplish through the program. 

“I was homeless,” she shared. “And she asked me for two goals I wanted to get out of the program, and I told her housing and employment.”

The decision to come to Calvary was not easy. Monica acknowledged that she arrived carrying frustration, anxiety, and the weight of everything she had experienced. But over time, the support of Calvary’s staff empowered her to open up and recognize possibilities she had not yet seen for herself.

She especially credits Dawn with supporting her through some of her most difficult moments. Alongside Dawn, Calvary has a strong staff of like-minded women whose mission is rooted in empowering and nurturing the women they serve. 

“…staff you could go to. And they were there to push you beyond your limits. They knew what you had all along, even when you didn’t, and that’s what I really loved about it”

She spoke warmly about the relationships she developed with Calvary staff and volunteers. Memories of them checking in on her and sitting with residents during meals flooded her mind—showcasing their effort to understand them as people rather than simply seeing them through the lens of homelessness.

“When you’re experiencing homelessness, it’s a lot of people that really don’t care. They don’t see you. They don’t hear you. So it was very refreshing that someone took the time to see how my day went, what I was doing, what was going on with me.”

That feeling of being seen meant a great deal to Monica.

With time, Monica began to understand that her stay at Calvary was not simply about completing paperwork or finding housing. It was about ensuring that her basic needs were met so that she could find herself again and act on her pre-existing potential.

One of the most important lessons she learned was the importance of continuing to try, even when the answer is no.

“Keep pushing. You’re going to hear a thousand nos; you’re going to get that one yes; keep going.”

That mindset helped her make progress toward both of the goals she identified when she first entered the program.

In February, Monica was matched with an apartment, and in April she was able to move forward with the process. By May, she had signed her lease & received her keys; she has now been in her new home for several weeks and is loving it.

Monica emphasizes that Calvary provides the tools and support—residents must still choose to use them.

Her gratitude extends to the donors, volunteers, and supporters who make Calvary’s work possible. 

“They were phenomenal!” raves Monica about the volunteers she encountered. 

She hopes supporters understand how meaningful that personal connection can be.

“It was great that they really are hands-on and they really cared about you.”

When asked what hope looks like for her now, her answer was simple.

Her future, she said, is going to be “amazing.” We believe that, too.

For Monica, hope is not an abstract idea. It is having keys to her own home. It is working toward financial independence. It is waking up each day and recognizing how far she has come.

And above all, it is knowing that her story is still being written. 

As you reflect on Monica’s story this week, think about how stability supports your purpose—and how it can support another woman’s purpose. There are more women waiting for their own “yes.” Your gift can help make it possible. Donate today.

By Whitney Tabifor
2026 Summer Communications Intern, Calvary Women’s Services