Yrmaris’s Story
Yrmaris lost her job in 2020, right as COVID-19 took hold of the community. She searched for employment despite the shutdown—but the pandemic left her with few options. Weeks without an income turned into months—until she could no longer afford her rent. Facing homelessness with her two small children, Yrmaris had no choice but to move into the small apartment her sister shared with her own children. Space was tight. But it was a place to live. Before long after moving in with her sister, Yrmaris saw growing emotional distress in her 9-year-old son, Anthony. This is not uncommon. The impact of crowded living, lack of routine, and tension over time living in housing insecurity often cause a sense of instability and fear in children.