During one of the coldest winters recorded in Lake County, IL, Candice and her two young boys were living on the streets of Waukegan in her Dodge Dart.

During the day, she made deliveries for Door Dash, trying to make enough money for food and gas. At night, if she earned enough, the young family stayed in an inexpensive motel. If not, she would try to find a shelter with room to take them in. But shelters only allow people to stay one night at a time, so the next day she’d make her deliveries, then start the search for warm shelter again.

Many nights, Candice and her boys (one still in diapers) slept in the car with the motor and heater running so they wouldn’t freeze to death.

Living in poverty

Surrounded by the affluence of Lake County, Illinois, it’s hard for many of us to imagine the turn events that can lead to becoming homeless. According to a recent university study, 1 in 3 Americans had trouble making ends meet before the 2020 pandemic. Five million more were living below the poverty level as of September 2020. Minorities, low earners, women, and those without college degrees are at the greatest risk of becoming homeless.

For many in our community, all it takes is one unfortunate event, or as in Candice’s case, a series of them.

Candice says she always knew in her heart that God was holding on to her. Here’s her story and how, through faith in God and the resources, support, and prayers of Love INC’s partner churches, she was able to survive…and now thrive!

Growing up in a toxic environment

Growing up in a home afflicted by addiction and abuse, Candice ran away when she was 15 years old. But two years later she returned, despite the chaotic environment, determined to earn her high school diploma, which she accomplished at age 19.

After high school, she attended community college and was chosen to intern at Walt Disney World® in Orlando, Florida. Candice did well on her own for over a decade, including earning an associate degree. Eventually the pull of “family” overcame her. She longed for connection, love and support that were lacking in her life, and thought, at the time, that returning to her parent’s house was the answer.

Not long after returning to Waukegan, Candice’s mother, father, and brothers started to treat her with scorn. She was told she was no good and would never amount to anything even though she was working and attending classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. When she became pregnant, the situation grew worse. Her mom’s gambling addiction meant they didn’t have funds for adequate furniture. She was forced to sleep on the floor throughout her pregnancy.

“I didn’t know what family was supposed to be. I didn’t know what love was,” says Candice. “My mom was supportive at times and at others she was just mean to me. Maybe all the years she experienced physical abuse made her bitter and unable to be loving.”

Falling prey to an unscrupulous landlord

After the baby was born, Candice knew it was time to move out, so she found a “rent-to-own” condo, which gave her hope for a fresh start. Within just a few months, the appliances broke down and the condo needed other repairs – all debts Candice learned she was responsible for. Unwittingly, she had signed an unreasonable contract pawned off on her by an unscrupulous landlord. Unable to keep up with the bills and rent, she lost the condo, and her credit was irreparably damaged, preventing her from renting elsewhere.

With no place to live and no support system, Candice and her children ended up homeless and living in the Dodge Dart. “I was in a state of depression,” she recalls. “I was living in my car with my babies. I was just lost, broken and discouraged.”

Learning about Love in the Name of Christ

Thanks to the pastors of Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Waukegan and members of the congregation at Bethel Lutheran Church in Gurnee, Candice learned about the resources available through Love INC of Lake County.

At first, Candice was reluctant to accept the food and basic household items she and her family needed to survive. She describes the experience as “gut wrenching” and says “I have drive. I have ambition. I don’t want to be a handout girl.”

However, as she got to know volunteers from Love INC partner churches, including her mentor, Barb, she says she learned that sometimes you have to swallow your pride. “You have to let go and let God be in charge of your life,” Candice says.

Love INC connected her with community and government resources to secure an apartment. Partner churches provided beds and Christmas gifts for her kids and winter coats for the entire family. And most importantly, staff and volunteers came alongside Candice, got to know her, and built positive relationships that helped rebuild her confidence.

“I remember at the coat drive Amy had put aside a beautiful, long red winter coat for me,” Candice says. “I just can’t tell you how special that made me feel. It may seem like a small thing, but to me, it was everything. It made me feel like I was worth something.”

Taking steps toward a better future

Candice has always been interested in learning and improving herself, so when a volunteer told her about the Affirming Potential class, she jumped at the opportunity.

“After attending class the first night, I knew I would come back every week. Just hearing everybody’s testimony made me feel like I was there for a reason. God wanted me there,” says Candice. “The classes helped restore my faith. I learned that I was made in the image of my creator. I’m a child of God and I am loved. That was the first time, when I heard these things, I felt like I could really believe them.”

In 2019, Candice secured a full-time job with Amazon, and has now worked her way up to the role of Learning Ambassador. Her job is to train new employees about the resources and opportunities that Amazon makes available to its employees. “I want to give others hope in everything I do. I want to be the encouragement to others that I never had.”

Soon, Candice will also join the Naval Reserves, and take part in a two-year program to earn a certificate in Information Systems Technology (IT). She plans to use the training to continue to grow in her career at Amazon.

As in Matthew 5:15-16, Candice is actively shining God’s love and kindness on others by serving as a volunteer for Love INC’s New Hope Ministry life skills classes. Although she’s always been “driven to make a better life for herself and her kids,” she says the classes gave her focus and a roadmap to accomplish her goals. She’s excited about sharing all that she learned through New Hope Ministry to help women like herself.

She is also working to improve relationships with her family. She shares, “I have forgiven some family members and have grown closer to God. I can not only see the change that God has done for me, but also I see what God is doing in my family’s lives as well. Knowing that prayer works, I just love having faith in Christ!”

“I want my legacy to be as a woman who was determined to reach her goals and who helped others reach their goals,” Candice says. “I hope my story inspires others to never give up and to keep God in everything you do.”

 

Hear more about Candice’s & Barb’s relationship that’s transformed both of their lives