I LOVE This Place

Rhiannon Middleton is a Family Advocate at Joshua Station. “I love this place. I especially love when I get to help people find something within themselves they didn’t know was there, and support people whom others have given up on.

“For instance, our former resident Hilda didn’t think of herself as especially special or strong. But when she had kidney failure, amazing qualities came into view. She lived every day as if she wasn’t dying. She made the most of every day—working hard and enjoying life. But I also think dying gave her perspective—she refused to engage in silly things like gossip or fighting. She set an example for all of us, and I got to be part of it.

“I first arrived at Joshua Station at a low point in my life in 2006. After experiencing major life challenges, I regained custody of my children on condition of stable housing. I couldn’t imagine how this would change my entire story.

“Several years after graduating from the program, when I had truly gained stability, I was hired as volunteer coordinator. From the start I told Penny, our program director at the time, that my firm goal was to be a family advocate. Eventually, I was!

“I love to travel, and of course there are places I’d like to see in the world. But there is absolutely nowhere I’d rather be than at Joshua Station. I feel at peace in this place. It is home to so many people, including me. I LOVE this place. Did I say that strongly enough?”