Sharif’s Journey: An inspiring story of determination and financial growth

By Nicholas House staff

At Nicholas House, we see resilience every day—but every once in a while, a client’s determination truly stands out. Sharif is one of those clients. After leaving a domestic violence situation over four years ago, Sharif moved cities with her three children and found refuge at a variety of shelters in Atlanta. However, her two oldest boys were nearing their pre-teen years and were at risk of being separated from her at the shelter she was residing in at the time.

According to HUD’s 2024 Point in Time Count data, 22% of people experiencing homelessness in Georgia include homeless families with children. In Fulton and DeKalb Counties, that number rises to an astonishing 32% and 26%, respectively. Within Fulton County specifically, 339 people are experiencing homelessness on a single night, virtually unchanged from 2023’s Point in Time Count.

When children experience homelessness, they endure a uniquely challenging and often traumatic journey that can have a lasting impact on their lives. The experience of homelessness leaves children feeling anxious, ashamed and isolated, while they desperately yearn for stability, safety and the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Children who are homeless are twice as likely to repeat a grade compared to children who have not experienced homelessness and are sick and hungry at twice the rate of children with a stable home.

After everything Sharif and her family had been through, she was determined to find a shelter that would keep her family together. Sharif was then connected to Nicholas House where our Boulevard Shelter was a great match for her family’s needs – allowing her whole family to have a safe and secure home until she figured out her next move.

At Nicholas House, Sharif was connected to a case manager where she was enrolled in our Surviving to Thriving program. Together, they developed a budget designed not just to cover expenses but to create a foundation for lasting stability. At the heart of her plan is an emergency fund—something she’s committed to building from the ground up. Though she is still in the early stages, her drive and discipline make it clear: Sharif is on track to exceed her savings goal and achieve financial independence.

An emergency fund is critical to housing stability. Research from the Federal Reserve reminds us that over 60% of Americans can’t afford a $400 emergency cost. It is these unplanned expenses that create financial hardship and often housing instability for families. Partnership with organizations like Nicholas House are a key piece of the puzzle to ensuring Sharif and others like her can achieve her savings goals.

Working full-time as an airport shuttle driver and in her own apartment with her family thanks to our New Horizons Atlanta program, Sharif remains dedicated to creating a stable future for herself and her family. Unlike many who rely solely on case managers to navigate their journey, Sharif has taken a proactive approach—doing the legwork of finding programs that help her subsidize income. This has allowed her to start reaching her goals and begin building financial security.

Sharif is a prime example that struggles aren’t always visible. Despite her hardships, her positivity and determination to build a better future for her family are the foundation for the life she is creating.

Her story is a powerful reminder that even at life’s lowest points, our struggles do not have to define our future. With determination, hope and the supportive programs Nicholas House offers for those who lack a safety net, adversity can lay the foundation for transformation. At Nicholas House, we are inspired and honored to be part of Sharif’s journey and watch her create a life she could have never imagined for herself alone – one of hope, security and financial stability.

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