Navigating everyday life with limited income is not easy, but for Chloe, she built a new life for her and her three sons that involved relocating from Houston, Texas, to her hometown Ypsilanti, Michigan.

“It was stressful, intimidating, and scary. But I never lost sight of my faith.”

With the support of her friends, family, and church community, Chloe purchased plane tickets for herself and her youngest son to return home. 

“They allowed us to lay on their couches. I had support from local resources to help me find a job. I utilized every resource in our community to be able to maintain. We never went without food and we never went without a place to stay.”

Her resourcefulness combined with the support of a willing community formed an ideal buffer to endure a tough stretch after returning home from Houston that included experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and going through a divorce.

“Had it not been for those people in my life, I don’t know where I would be. It’s all about community, because we know the power of community.”

Chloe currently works as a hardware specialist but remembers vividly her year and a half search for full-time employment. 

“When you have to do what you have to do, you take work at Door Dash and Wendy’s. You have to humble yourself and do what you need to do for your children,” she said.

During that search, a respected friend at her church shared information about an UpTogether offer in her area.

“When I got the first deposit, I said ‘you have got to be kidding me,’” Chloe said. 

It was perfect timing—Chloe had recent surgery and was receiving in-home care from a friend to help with recovery. 

“I had more food to feed them when they came because of the extra money that I had,” she said before sharing why it was so important to spend some of her cash on her friends. “I don’t have friends that are wealthy or come from money. They work and have their tough times as well. But you know who you can go to when times get rough. I’m blessed to have those types of people in my life.”

With the new outlook, Chloe isn’t shy about sending a message with how she used her UpTogether investments to impact those around her.

“If I could thank everyone who put this together I would. Thank you. Deliver that message,” she said. 

“I don’t have a whole big group of friends but the people I have, I’ve been able to help. I’ve been able to send an incarcerated friend $10 - $15, which isn’t a lot, but makes a big difference.”