We are celebrating seven new families moving into Joshua Station!
It’s been a loooong wait for them. Since Joshua Station is not an emergency shelter, but rather a two-year supportive residential program requiring high mutual commitment, we undergo a very rigorous process with our families in determining a “good fit.” Even in the best of times, it takes about six weeks.
For our new families, the six weeks began in February and stretched through May. Remember the jokes about it being the 97th of March? Now imagine being in a chaotic, tenuous, dangerous living situation with your young children. You’ve finally found a place, Joshua Station, that could be a refuge to heal and move forward for your family’s future. You get word that you’re accepted!
You’re hanging on. Moving date is approaching. First week of March, amid the swirl of your situation, there are rumblings of Covid-19. Second week of March you get the call from a staff member: Joshua Station is under lockdown and is unable to take new residents. The caller expresses empathy and support, with resource ideas. But apologetically, she can’t even give a timetable.
Imagine how those weeks of Covid precautions dragged on day by day (you had your version of it). Now can you imagine the flood of relief upon receiving a call in June that your keys are ready and waiting? And imagine the flood of tears walking into your Joshua Station unit for the first time. You gasp at the gorgeous décor, and the bedroom nooks tailored to each of your children’s ages and interests.
Those weeks dragged on for us as staff too. Newly-decorated rooms sat empty week upon week as we needed to focus every resource on keeping our current community safe and supplied. So you can also imagine the excitement for our staff team who helped each of the seven families move in!
We’re now walking alongside our new community members – children and adults – as they decompress from overwhelming challenges and begin to see some light. We’ll have so much to share along the way, one day at a time.
Blessings and peace,
Amy Jackson, MSW
Deputy Director, Mile High Ministries
Program Director, Joshua Station
