Khoulette’s story

Khoulette was referred to us by Cooper Women’s Center.  She and Vaughn had grown up in the foster care system.  The couple had a daughter and were expecting another baby when they lost their apartment because Vaughn lost his job and his unemployment insurance ended. At one point the family was forced to ride the River Line all night so that they would not have to sleep on the street.

Finally the Board of Social Services placed them in a motel and during their stay there their son was born.  Although he was seven weeks early, Indigo Kai weighed 4lbs. 5oz. and was healthy. Thank God!

Dad, Vaughn, was willing to do any type of work, but had no luck finding a job. Helpers NJ provided bus passes for him to search for work as well as work boots when he got a temporary construction job.

We connected them with a Christ the King, a church that had asked us to connect them with a family to help as part of their pro-life outreach. While Khoulette and Vaughn were looking for a job, they were staying in a homeless shelter that provided food and a place to sleep but not much else. Christ the King provided a stroller, clothes, shoes, winter coats, underwear and toiletries for the family as well as formula when the amount WIC provided was not quite enough.

Mary Anne took the couple to a seminar for housing at the Kroc Center in Camden. Eventually they found a 2 bedroom apartment and Helpers NJ paid the security deposit for them. Helpers provided lamps, curtains, a kitchen table and wall hanging for their new home.  Christ the King parishioners donated towels,
sheets, a bedroom set and a living room set.

Mary Anne referred Vaughn to Cathedral Kitchen where he worked part time for a while and is now waiting to begin chef classes. Khoulette got a job at a hospital and the couple has decided that, for now, it makes more sense for her to work regular and overtime hours and for him to stay home with the children.

We are very happy that this young family has succeeded in making a drastic change in their family life. They are stable and working toward a better future.

Would your church or organization like to adopt a family?  If so, contact Claire at claire@helpersnj.org