Success Stories

Linda Taft

I was a 34 year old single parent with two children.  I didn’t have any job skills.  I had no place to call my own.  I was drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs.  Both of my parents had passed away and I was living with different family members in overcrowded conditions.

I checked in to the Greenville Community Shelter in January 1998.  I stopped using alcohol and drugs.  I joined church and began going to a 12-Step Program.  I began searching for answers to improve my lifestyle.  Someone in the shelter mentioned the Transitional Housing Program and I felt it was a great program for me to get involved in. I applied and I was approved.

I didn’t have a job at the time, so my rent was based on my AFDC check.  I was receiving Food Stamps and Medicaid.  We didn’t have much, but I remained humble and moved forward into my new life.  We were happy, we had our apartment, and we had some space.

I lived in transitional housing for over a year and while there I attended parenting and budgeting classes, did weekly chores, and enrolled in Pitt Community College. I learned how to live with people that were different from me and I formed some lifelong friendships.  This was the beginning of me learning how to be a responsible and productive member of society.  I learned how to be independent, pay my bills, enjoy my children, and live on my own.  While in Transitional Housing, I applied for Section 8 and received a voucher for rental assistance that allowed me to move into a nice 2 bedroom apartment for a year followed by a more spacious 3 bedroom apartment for 5 years.

I began working full time for ECU School of Medicine and later got a job working at the Internal Revenue Service.  I then enrolled at Shaw University where I completed my 4 year degree in Business Management.

In 2005 was blessed to purchase a brand new home, and have been able to maintain the life that I thought I could never have. I am able to successfully balance family, work, and school and it feels great.

I am now working on my Masters Degree in Business.  I was promoted last year at the IRS and I just celebrated 7 years of employment.  Through my job I am able to meet people daily and assist them with their tax problems and sometimes throw a little encouragement to them about other problem areas in their lives.

My children, who were young when I began this journey, are nearly grown. My daughter was accepted into the NC School of Science and Math where she began classes this fall. I am very proud of my family!

I still participate in the 12-Step program.  I have over 12 years free from drugs and alcohol.  As a peer counselor I help women some of whom have struggled with homelessness like I did.  I am active in my church and the community (including serving on the Greenville Community Shelters Board of Directors) and I often tell my story of how the shelter helped to transform my life.  I thank God for the Greenville Community Shelters and the staff that helped me in so many valuable ways!