Home Start

There When I Needed It Most

Local San Diego non-profit Home Start (www.home-start.org) looks forward to celebrating its 50th anniversary year in 2022. For nearly five decades, its caring staff have devoted themselves to preventing child abuse by strengthening families and serving local communities. Home Start’s seven core programs have been a lifeline to San Diego parents and children since the start of the pandemic. Here is a recent thank you letter from a young woman who received the agency’s help to escape from domestic violence and homelessness.

“I would like to start off with just a simple thank you. This kind of help doesn’t come to just anyone. I am so grateful for the unconditional support I have received. I never realized there was this kindness in the world, and it truly opened my eyes and changed my life forever.

Growing up, I was forced to tolerate behavior that people very much questioned. My previous home was a negative environment and the trauma that came with it lives in my heart forever. I was only ever used to discipline, hate and negativity. I really thought I was stuck in an abusive draining situation forever.

Home Start forever changed my life by getting me out of there. The first time I came across Home Start I was very nervous to start over and leave everything behind. But after speaking with my case manager, I came to the realization I could finally be free. I would finally be completely comfortable and felt like a big weight was lifted off of me, being able to talk about my experience and getting the help I needed with someone who was listening to me and cared.

Home Start has not only changed my life for the better, but completely changed my thoughts about the world. I was given a fresh chance to start new, and I did just that. There were many stumbles, but Home Start has always come through, and Riena my case manager has been my actual angel. I am even grateful for the help I received because Home Start stood with me through the COVID pandemic. To have that help throughout all of these tragic events is the love and kindness I knew that the world still has. It is this foundation that helps make people believe in happy endings. I truly will never forget all the wonderful things this charity has done for me. I was nearly homeless on the street, but Home Start saved my life and my soul.”
– Merna, Home Start Housing Client

With the increased demand to assist so many San Diegans as COVID-19 continues to plague our community, please help more youth, children and families by participating in Home Start’s 14th Annual Hallo-Wine Fall Festival. Spend the afternoon outdoors at the Historic Burnham House in Balboa Park, Saturday, October 23rd. Enjoy a delicious selection of food samples, along with boutique wines, handcrafted beers, local spirts, live music and a silent auction. Another Home Start client will also share their story of how caring partners like you have helped them.

To attend the 14th Annual Hallow-Wine Fall Festival, please visit www.hallowine.org. Working together, we can achieve Home Start’s vision for every child in San Diego to have a safe, stable, and nurturing home.