Help a Neighbor in Need This Holiday Season

Tia and her young daughter Mya (pseudonyms) became residents at clients of our South Suburban PADS Country Club Hills Wellness Center (CCHWC) in 2016. Mother and daughter became homeless, applied for a spot in our building, and worked hard to get back on their feet. They received a fully furnished apartment, grew food in the building community garden, and learned to cook the food they grew in the on-site culinary program.

Years later, Tia and Mya have moved out of the Wellness Center to free up a space for someone else in need. Tia recently graduated with a certification in IT Security Administration, and is writing a book about her life story. Mya is college student on a full ride scholarship at University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. She graduates in May 2024 with her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences on a Pre-Med Track.

“I am grateful for the programs and services [SSPADS] provided,” Tia says. “Thank you SSPADS, CCHWC, and all who help pave the way to my pathway home!”

(Mya's high school graduation day from Hillcrest High School in front of the Wellness Center with mom, Tia)

Read the full story below in Tia's own words

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was an adult, single mother. I was very independent, and I had always provided for myself, yet I had nowhere to go. It was hard to admit I couldn’t do it all on my own. I was homeless.

One day in August, when my cousin was dropping me off at my part-time job in Chicago Heights, I saw a group of people in line. Something in me said, "See what that line is for," so I told my cousin to drive over there to see what that line was for.

Being nosey, I asked a lady and she said, “It’s for the Country Club Hills Wellness Center waiting list for housing.”

I said, “Really, what are the requirements?”

She replied, “You got to be homeless.”

I said, “Oh, welp, that's me.”

So, I got in line. Finally, I reached the front and the intake person was a nice lady name Regina Stevens. She informed me that I would need to be homeless and working with an organization for case management. I told her that I was working with Heartland Alliance and had a case manager that would write a referral letter on my behalf. Once I got the letter, I could come back to apply.

Regina also told me that I would get a fully furnished apartment if approved!

I was so excited leaving the office that day! I just knew in my heart I was going to get approved. From that day on, I called Regina every day ALL day every day. I left voicemails and emails about my application. I must have annoyed this lady so much. Thank God she did not give up on me.

In the meantime, because I knew the location where my new address would be, me and my best friend would drive over to the building on Gatling Blvd to watch it being built. At the time, it was just a shell. Nothing but a concrete frame, no windows, no doors…nothing! We used to just sit at the entry right before you pull in the parking lot, imagine the thought of me and Mya moving in, and how it would be to have a place to call home newly built from the ground up. Boy, were we excited!

By now it was October and I got a call from the then property manager at the Wellness Center. He told me I could come in to complete my paperwork and see my new place! I was so happy to see a two-bedroom unit on the 2nd floor beautifully decorated with nice furniture. I was told this is what my new place would look like and to be on the lookout for a call for my move in date. I did not get that call until the day after Christmas 2012.

On this day, another property manager called at 9am and said you have to bring $850 with a $25 key deposit. I said yes ma’am and hang up phone in pure disbelief. I did not have a dime to my name.

I was like OMG what am I going to do? I just got paid from work and used my last money for the holiday, not thinking I would need that much to move especially right after Christmas. I asked everyone I knew and no one had the money because it was right after Christmas. People’s funds were exhausted, and so were mine.

I was almost ready to give up because I had no way of getting the money in time when something inside of me spoke up. I remembered Mr. Haire, an older guy and a Navy veteran I met while waitressing tables. He was the owner of Haire Shrimp on Vincennes who was always so nice to me and would tip very well. I would always go and eat his shrimp because they were the best in Chicago. Well, I called this man at work and told him what was going on and he agreed to lend me the money! I could not believe it. I cried and shouted THANK YOU SO MUCH! I had a couple hours to get to the city grab the money and then get a money order as instructed and then make it to the building I thank God for Mr. Haire, may he rest in peace. He passed away a few years back and his shrimp house is still standing and operating.

I moved in to the Country Club Wellness Center that day without anything but my clothes in garbage bags and an air mattress. Over the next few months, the program provided furniture from Darwin’s furniture. Every room was brand new furnished beds, sofas, dressers, tables, chairs, pots, pans, and utensils. So many blessings came in all my time living there.

What I truly liked most were the programs that was offered to families whether it was for enrichment, healthcare, training, or developmental skills. So much was geared towards the youth. With these programs I had the privilege of creating the mural that sits in the main lobby. A young lady name Rain would come in the evenings and we would paint and work on the mural. I loved the finished display of work. I painted the girl and bag which I always felt described the way I felt coming there and hoped for change and betterment.

I am grateful for the programs and services they provided. We created and started the garden beds which I loved outside of the Culinary State of the Art Kitchen run and led by Chef Kareem. My memories of Chef will always be cherished and remain with me. He was such an inspiration and a pillar of our community.

Although Chef Kareem taught cooking classes, he offered so much more, he was a friend, a counselor a mediator he always showed himself respectful and never angry, never upset always positive and just a true light. My daughter, Mya, always participated in his cooking classes. And he always, always, always made sure I got my ham and turkey for the holidays no matter what! I am truly grateful to have known Chef Kareem, he was definitely part of my CCHWC family!

I now live in the South Loop. I have recently graduated with my certification in IT Security Administration, and am currently writing a book about my life story. I have also recently been selected as a finalist in the Fab over 40 contest on social media. Mya is a college student on a full ride scholarship at University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana graduating in May with her Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences on a Pre-Med Track.

We are both thriving and striving in life and we have you guys to thank for it!

I hope my story will inspire you to enjoy where you are in life, take the challenges as lessons and never give up no matter how hard it seems or how hard it gets. I use to tease Ms. Regina that I'm going to be her success story, never imagining that I am truly just that today! I will always remember her saying that although I came in kicking and screaming, she knew that I was determined and that she would not regret approving my application. And for that, I want to say thank you thank you thank you Regina Stevens, without your care and trust in me, I don't see where I would be!

I am truly grateful to you, Country Club Hills Wellness Center and SSPADS!

Mya and I are both honored and thankful for this recognition and hope that our story will help inspire others to remain positive and never stop fighting for what you want and believe in.

Thank you SSPADS and all who helped pave the way to my pathway home!