Celeste – HPC Adult Housing Success

When Celeste and her two sons were forced to leave their home, they had nowhere to go. For a time, they lived in a hotel room while she continued working. In two short years, Celeste had endured the loss of her mother, two sisters, a brother, and her grandmother. The grief, instability, and weight of single-handedly raising her boys took a deep emotional toll.

Despite the hardships, she hesitated to ask for help. Like many others, she had grown used to taking care of everyone else rather than herself. Eventually, the pressure became too much, and she reached out to Hillcrest Platte County for support.

Her time in the HPC program was not easy. It required deep vulnerability, accountability, and the willingness to confront painful parts of her story with the help of our HPC counseling staff. While in the program, Celeste focused not only on her finances but also on her sense of identity and purpose.

Through structure, encouragement, and hard work, she was able to save money and offer stability to her sons. Celeste describes one of the greatest gifts of the HPC program being that her boys no longer had to worry about where they would sleep or whether they would have food to eat. That peace of mind allowed them to thrive, and it showed in their confidence and behavior.

Celeste’s mindset also began to change. She learned that it is okay to ask for help and to admit when life feels overwhelming. What once felt like failure became the starting point for resilience and growth.

Today, Celeste has a savings account, a renewed perspective, and a future filled with hope. Her oldest son is preparing to attend college, a dream of his that is becoming a reality. None of which would have been possible if they had remained in that hotel room.