7hills Keeping Families Out of Homelessness
By: Rebecca Jeffrey
Updated: January 27, 2013
"I was in the oil field, making very good money," Dorsett Price said.
A stark difference from today.
"It was crazy, you go from literally having an income and just taking care of your family living in a nice place to literally nothing. We both got laid off, went to nothing," Nadia Price said.
Dorsett and Nadia Price were living in Texas at the time. The family sold what they could, packed what they couldn't and headed to Fayetteville to start over. The family of 6, then living in a homeless shelter.
"We weren't looking for handouts, we just needed a little help," Dorsett said.
That's when 7hills stepped in.
"It's breath taking, it's amazing, I never heard of anything like it," he said.
The project is called FICASSO and it helps family's like the Price's get back on their feet.
"[It] gave us a blueprint, helped us learn the area, gave us some resources we could call and just gave us a little momentum."
Which is what 7hills CEO Jon Woodward said their program is all about.
"It teaches financial management skills, it teaches tenancy skills, it teaches life skills, to where the cycles that people are stuggling with are hopefully things that they can move past on a permanent basis," Woodward said.
But there is a price to be paid.
"We're unafraid and unashamed to have expectations of our clients," Woodward said.
"It's hard work, it's work, and they'll tell you, if you're not doing what you're supposed to do, you will get dropped. And that's why I respect it, cause that's how it's supposed to be," Dorsett said.
The program is only short term, weaning families off the assistance as they gain employment and financial independence
"We're still going uphill, so it's a battle but we have a little help and we have some hope."
After months of dedication, the Price family is seeing the silver lining.
"I think even though this is one of hardest times in our life, our lowest, this is one of the times we've probably been happiest," Nadia said.
Much like Joey Robinson, a veteran for the Army National Guard. He found himself homeless when he came back from Iraq in 2005. But thanks to an additional 7hills program "DeNovo" geared toward veterans, he has his own apartment and car.
"There's a lot of work that goes in on our part to actually be able to stay in the program. It's worth it, I mean, I wouldn't be anywhere near where I'm at today, I wouldn't even like to think where I'd be at if it wasn't for 7hills," Robinson said.
He's now working through the program, with his two daughters as his inspiration.
"I'm working with 7Hills to get my housing stable, and to get a job, a full time job, and to get stability back in my life so I can have my kids."
Robinson said it's the accountability that has helped him gain confidence again.
7hills is funded through federal grants and donations. They hope to raise $300,000 in 2013. To donate, head to their website here.
A stark difference from today.
"It was crazy, you go from literally having an income and just taking care of your family living in a nice place to literally nothing. We both got laid off, went to nothing," Nadia Price said.
Dorsett and Nadia Price were living in Texas at the time. The family sold what they could, packed what they couldn't and headed to Fayetteville to start over. The family of 6, then living in a homeless shelter.
"We weren't looking for handouts, we just needed a little help," Dorsett said.
That's when 7hills stepped in.
"It's breath taking, it's amazing, I never heard of anything like it," he said.
The project is called FICASSO and it helps family's like the Price's get back on their feet.
"[It] gave us a blueprint, helped us learn the area, gave us some resources we could call and just gave us a little momentum."
Which is what 7hills CEO Jon Woodward said their program is all about.
"It teaches financial management skills, it teaches tenancy skills, it teaches life skills, to where the cycles that people are stuggling with are hopefully things that they can move past on a permanent basis," Woodward said.
But there is a price to be paid.
"We're unafraid and unashamed to have expectations of our clients," Woodward said.
"It's hard work, it's work, and they'll tell you, if you're not doing what you're supposed to do, you will get dropped. And that's why I respect it, cause that's how it's supposed to be," Dorsett said.
The program is only short term, weaning families off the assistance as they gain employment and financial independence
"We're still going uphill, so it's a battle but we have a little help and we have some hope."
After months of dedication, the Price family is seeing the silver lining.
"I think even though this is one of hardest times in our life, our lowest, this is one of the times we've probably been happiest," Nadia said.
Much like Joey Robinson, a veteran for the Army National Guard. He found himself homeless when he came back from Iraq in 2005. But thanks to an additional 7hills program "DeNovo" geared toward veterans, he has his own apartment and car.
"There's a lot of work that goes in on our part to actually be able to stay in the program. It's worth it, I mean, I wouldn't be anywhere near where I'm at today, I wouldn't even like to think where I'd be at if it wasn't for 7hills," Robinson said.
He's now working through the program, with his two daughters as his inspiration.
"I'm working with 7Hills to get my housing stable, and to get a job, a full time job, and to get stability back in my life so I can have my kids."
Robinson said it's the accountability that has helped him gain confidence again.
7hills is funded through federal grants and donations. They hope to raise $300,000 in 2013. To donate, head to their website here.
