Climbing the mountain

In 2018, James and Melody experienced the sudden loss of their young son after a leukemia diagnosis. The grief that followed was overwhelming and deeply impacted every aspect of their lives. In the years that followed, it became difficult to move forward while carrying such loss.

As they navigated that grief, James and Melody made decisions influenced by trauma. A missed payment and limited options quickly led to the loss of their housing and uncertainty about what would come next.

When they reached out to St. Anthony Family Shelter, the timing felt providential. On the very day they needed to leave their home, they learned that a room was available. What began as a moment of crisis became the first step toward stability.

Arriving at the shelter, James and Melody carried a deep sense of defeat. They didn’t have a clear path forward and were unsure of what to do next. That began to change as they connected with staff and became involved in programs designed to support families in crisis.

Through guidance, structure and encouragement, they began to see new possibilities. Access to resources, job opportunities and daily stability helped them regain a sense of direction. More importantly, they were reminded that their situation did not define them and that a different future was possible.

We were at rock bottom. What helped most was someone telling us, ‘You have hope. You’re good people.’ We had a place to stay, meals every day and our kids were taken care of.”

Over time, what once felt like the lowest point in their lives became a turning point. With encouragement and accountability, they began making steady progress toward independence. They describe their experience as a fresh start, one that allowed them to move forward with greater clarity and purpose.

Today, because of support from people like you, families like James and Melody’s are in a different place, both literally and emotionally. Families facing homelessness receive shelter for a month, but while at St. Anthony, they also receive structure, routine and encouragement along with opportunities to begin building a foundation for long-term independence.

As one of Wichita’s only shelters designed for families with minor children, St. Anthony Family Shelter continues to offer both immediate support and a path toward long-term stability.

For families like James and Melody’s, St. Anthony Family Shelter is more than a temporary stop. It is a place where hope is restored and where the climb begins.