A Place to Call Home: The Gadson Family’s Journey to Stability

For Crystal Gadson and her family, receiving the keys to their new home represented far more than securing housing— it marked the end of an incredibly difficult chapter and the beginning of a new journey filled with hope and opportunity. 

At United Way of the Midlands, we know children thrive when the adults raising them have the support they need. Through our Whole Family Strategy, families receive long-term case management that helps them overcome barriers, strengthen financial responsibility, and achieve lasting housing security. 

After experiencing a year and a half of homelessness, Crystal, her spouse, and their four children found that support through United Way's Whole Family Strategy and the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center. Their housing crisis was not the result of unemployment or unpaid bills. Instead, after years of advocating for basic repairs in unsafe living conditions, the family was ultimately displaced despite working hard to remain stable. 

For eighteen months, the family of six lived in unstable housing, sharing a single room with two full-size beds while spending nearly $2,000 each month simply to keep a roof over their heads. With every paycheck dedicated to survival, saving for application fees, security deposits, and moving expenses seemed nearly impossible. 

Their turning point came when a school social worker connected the family with Theresa Hill, MSW, Social Worker at the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center. Through Whole Family Strategy, families receive long-term case management that helps them overcome barriers, strengthen financial responsibility, achieve lasting housing security, and create the stability children need to remain engaged and successful in schools. Mrs. Hill was able to provide ongoing case management, encouragement, and relentless advocacy, helping the family navigate countless setbacks while searching for permanent housing. Her persistence ultimately led to a property management team willing to look beyond paperwork, listen to the family's story, and offer them a second chance.

Today, the Gadson family is settling into a safe, stable home complete with new flooring, new appliances, and most importantly, the opportunity for a fresh start. Their four children now have a place to grow, heal, and dream about the future, while Crystal and her family have the stability and support to continue building brighten days ahead. Their story is a powerful reminder that when families receive the right support, housing becomes more than a place to live —it becomes the foundation for lasting success.