Korina's Story
Korina found herself and her three daughters Jessica, Jideha, and Naomi homeless and completely overwhelmed. They had fled sexual abuse and left their home with nothing but their backpacks and Korina’s savings. Many of the shelters had no openings but they kept looking. Korina was able to find available space at the women’s transitional living shelter, however; it was a temporary solution because they could only stay a limited number of days. The shelter tried to assist Korina and their family with housing but they were unsuccessful. So once again they were without a place to go. Korina was using the money she had to stay in motels. They were homeless for five months. During this time, Korina fainted in her hotel room and was rushed to the hospital. Before this incident, Korina believed her lack of energy and physical weakness were solely due to the stress of being homeless, but at the hospital Korina was diagnosed with Leukemia. Through this incredibly difficult time, Korina never lost faith and in fact it was the only thing she had to hold on to.
Jadhhea, who was 12 at the time, suffers from diabetes and mental illness, and due to the nature of their departure, she ran out of insulin. They took her to urgent care and Jaddhea was connected to CHOC. Once a clinical worker discovered that Jaddhea had no address, CHOC, connected Jaddhea and the family to the Illumination Foundation’s Plumeria House. This is a Family Emergency home for families who have children with disabilities. When they first arrived at the house, Korina was skeptical because her prior experiences with other organizations didn’t lead to her family's safety. However, Korina noticed that Citlalli, the house manager, and Lorena, the intake manager were welcoming. Korina was amazed when she was shown the house and her living space. The worry of where her daughters were going to sleep the next day or the next week was eliminated. The staff told Korina that she was able to stay as long as she needed. The first night her daughters and Korina slept like babies.
While residing at the Plumeria House, the staff helped Korina acquire medical insurance, transportation to medical appointments, as well as child care. Her family was able to utilize the services provided including in-home counseling, case management and housing navigation. They were amazed by the array of programs offered including tutoring services like her Private Professor, literacy groups, Mini Med School, and more. Naomi, her youngest daughter, benefitted from the services and the stability that the home offered, which led to her graduating her last grade with reading honors! Furthermore Jessica, her oldest, became employed and a manager at a local wireless service provider. Korina felt truly supported by the network that Illumination Foundation provided. Illumination Foundation hosted events that made Korina feel like she was a part of a community and Korina recalls how it was helpful, during their journey, to see other families on the road to self-sufficiency.
After spending five months at the Plumeria House working to stabilize her family and working with her Housing Navigator to find housing, they were able to secure an apartment. On May 19th, Korina was handed the keys to her home. In Korina’s words “It was a surreal feeling, even to this day, when we’re out and about we can finally say let's go home”. They are extremely grateful. She says how Illumination Foundation is different from any other homeless organization because they said they would help and they did! Now that they’re in a place of their own they can continue to heal in a home that’s safe and full of love.
