Briana – HPC Adult Housing Success

When Briana first came to HPC, she didn’t think she could succeed. On day three, she called her case manager and said she was packed and ready to leave. Her ride was waiting outside. Overwhelmed and uncertain, Briana ultimately made the decision to stay and put the work in. That decision shaped everything that came next.

While in the housing program, Briana was able to enroll in classes at UMKC. She began the summer semester and started the path to earn her degree in computer science engineering. Briana also saved thousands of dollars working, and she secured her own rental for after graduation.

At graduation, Briana’s case manager shared that their connection providentially went back years. She first met Briana when Briana’s mom was in another transitional housing program; Briana was a teenager at that time. When Briana’s application came through to HPC years later, her case manager recognized her name right away.

“She had to be dragged to the finish line,” her case manager later said, not because she didn’t want it, but because she carried so much. She was always thinking about everyone else. She just needed someone to walk with her.

Briana also discovered a second connection: another case manager at HPC was her cousin. They hadn’t known the other was there, and while her cousin wasn’t part of her case, she cheered Briana on from the sidelines. “Briana had her own boutique on North Oak,” her cousin said. “She’s run a business. She’s a go-getter. But life gets hard, and asking for help is even harder. Most people don’t. I’m proud of her for that.”

At graduation, Briana stood up to speak. “When I came to Hillcrest, my life was different. I didn’t know who worked here. Turns out it was my cousin and a case manager I met years ago. It was a double blessing. I thank God for this program, my sponsors, and everyone here. It was hard. I almost gave up. But I made it.”

Briana is still growing, and we’re proud to be a part of that. Even in the hardest moments, she stayed. She showed up, and she didn’t quit.