Rockford, IL
Homeless: 2004 – 2008
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
My name is Christina, I'm 34 and my daughter and I both live in Loves Park, IL as of right now. I was homeless on and off for a period of about four years in my hometown of Rockford, IL. This took place between the years of 2004 to 2008. I was kicked out by my parents after becoming pregnant at 17. So the majority of my time homeless was while I was pregnant, as well as in the early stages of my child’s adolescence.
Were you ever in a situation where you didn’t have access to basic necessities; including oral hygiene products, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, or menstrual care items?
Yes, I found my self in these situations on occasion. Hygiene products and being hygienic was the last thing on my mind though. I was more worried about making sure my baby and I didn’t starve.
Did you ever not know the next time you would be able to brush your teeth or take a shower?
This happened infrequently, but yes. Most of the time though I had great friends at the time, who would open up their own homes to me and my daughter. There, I would we able to freshen up and take a shower.
Did you ever frequent homeless shelters or churches, hoping they might be able to provide those hygiene necessities?
Not shelters or churches, no, but I frequented a local place called MELD in Rockford. The company was there to help young mothers in various ways. I also had sisters and family that would help out, who would occasionally borrow me money if I was employed at the time. One thing that really helped me early in my time of homelessness was WIC. WIC had a system where I earned points by going to pregnancy and check in appointments. I was then able to use these points to purchase items, located at a store inside the WIC building.
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