Be the Change You Wish to See

Sasha participates in the 5th Annual Health Empowered Beauty Fashion Show
After a bad break-up with an ex-boyfriend, Sasha found herself homeless at 21 years old. “My son's father and I broke up. Since then, I lived on couches,” Sasha said. She slept in the living rooms of her family and friends for seven years, until she had no one to turn to.

Sasha says she was unable to continue to stay with her family due to disagreements that they had. “My mother passed away four years ago and I didn’t have family that was willing to open their doors. I had no other place to go,” she said. With her options and resources depleted, Sasha decided to seek help at a women’s shelter, which eventually lead her to Susan’s Place.

Sasha felt that Susan’s Place would be the safest place for her. Although she has only been living in Susan’s Place for a few months, she says that she “can see that people are kind.” “Ms. Mecca and the staff are awesome,” she said. Sasha also appreciates the support groups held at Susan’s Place because it gives her people to speak to about her feelings and what she has experienced. She also enjoys using the fitness center and computer room.

Sasha is currently working a full-time job as a home health aide, saving to get her own place. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, home health aides earned a median salary of $23,210 (or $11.16 per hour) in 2017. Although she works full-time, the cost of living in New York City makes it difficult for her to find a place of her own. Even if Sasha found an apartment in New York’s cheapest borough, the Bronx, she would still need to triple her income. According to the Economic Policy Institute, Sasha needs to make at least $69,632 to “attain a modest yet adequate standard of living” with her son in the Bronx.

Credit: Economic Policy Institute: Family Budget Calculator

That standard is not only difficult on a Home Health aide’s hourly rate but the total hours can vary from month-to-month, creating an inconsistent and fairly unreliable source of income, making it difficult to get by each day, much less save for the future.   

Other than getting her own place, Sasha’s goal is to be healthy, mentally and physically. “I am a home health aide. Working in my field has helped me learn to appreciate life a little more,” Sasha said. “I learned a lot about myself at Susan’s Place,” she continued. Sasha says, living in Susan’s Place keeps her focused on what her goals and what she “doesn’t want to be.”
Sasha shared that her favorite quote is by Mahatma Gandhi, a saying she now lives by: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Today we ask YOU to be the change that you wish to see in the world, by joining us on September 20, 2018 at The Prince George Ballroom for the 6th Annual Health Empowered Beauty Fashion Show. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 1! Proceeds will be used to ensure women, such as Sasha living in Susan’s Place, end their experience with homelessness and TO help CFH provide direct services for homeless men, women, and children in NYC.


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