Kia’s Story

Meet Kia—the first graduate of our new 2 step-home model. 

Kia has overcome unbelievable challenges in her lifetime, so she was surprised when she found herself in this place—pregnant, living in her car, and feeling hopeless about the future ahead. After journeying through the foster system and being trafficked in her teen years, Kia was working for a non-profit organization, living in her own apartment, and in a committed relationship. But suddenly, the organization lost funding for her position and the dominoes started to fall. First the job, then her housing, and after she found out she was pregnant, her relationship as well.   

Sleeping in her car by the beach at 5 months pregnant, Kia called 211, the County social services line daily, but the referrals she received were short-term or had long waitlists. She felt she needed something more stable- a place to heal from trauma, find a job, and learn how to be a mom. That’s when she found Harvest Home.   

Coming to the Venice Home—our first step home—from the trauma of living on the streets, Kia needed her basic needs met. A bed, nutritious food, as well as setting up medical care for her pregnancy. After a few weeks, she realized her needs were greater than those basic physical needs. In her words, “Coming in, I thought I just needed the basics, but I learned I needed all of it—the therapy, the friends, the community, and getting back to a relationship with God.” With this acknowledgment, Kia chose to continue on to the transitional program at the Pico Home.   

She found a job, completed financial literacy classes, started saving for housing, participated in therapy, and learned what it means to be a good mom. Through the programs and classes offered, Kia learned critical skills for caring for herself and her child, but she credits the one-on-one conversations with staff, especially our alumnae staff members, with helping her feel prepared for motherhood. This level of personal care and attention solidified her experiences at Harvest Home- “I never had people think about me as an individual. To be cared about at that level. It was a home feeling—the staff was there to help it feel like home. Women can be successful with the right support.”  

And just a month ago, Kia graduated into her own home and Harvest Home’s Alumnae Program. Kia moved into her own apartment with her four-month-old son. The Alumnae Program and case management help her stay on track with her long-term goals and also provide access to all the essential items she needs to care for her son—diapers, wipes, baby clothes, and gear.  

When Kia looks back over the past year, she cannot believe how far she has come and is grateful for Harvest Home’s program model which allowed her to ease into motherhood. “I needed that time to know I was going to be okay—to find a suitable place and to find stability. Over time, the programs start to become a part of you. The consistency helped me become the best mom I could be. When I walked in, I was not ready. But, when I left, I thought, I’m going to be a really good mom. It started off as a scary experience, but thanks to Harvest Home now I get to enjoy motherhood.”