“Sandy” may have looked at some of life’s worst possibilities, but now she is looking forward to rebuilding her family.

Originally from Jefferson City, Sandy and her three sons came to the Kansas City area to escape domestic violence, but because of a flurry of problems, the 33-year-old woman instead found herself unable to find even a home.

Born and raised in Jefferson City, Sandy has three sons, ages 13, 4 and 2. Because of her difficulties, the Department of Family Services had removed the two youngest, although the DFS later allowed a rare placement with Sandy’s sister in Kansas. Her oldest son is with her parents in metropolitan Kansas City.

“I actually worked with the DFS investigating abuse and neglect,” Sandy recalls today. “I never thought I’d be in this position.”

Thanks to a boost from MLM and hard work on her own, Sandy is now looking forward to leaving a Salvation Army shelter and reuniting her family. She has worked for several weeks with an area restaurant and on July 23 she began working at the Jackson County Courthouse as a Court Clerk. She plans on keeping the restaurant job at least for a while in order to build a savings to restart her family.

“She’s willing to work and she’s very professional,” noted MLM Project Care Case Manager Barbara Cahill. “There are always a lot of things to work out, but she’s been great to work with.”

MLM’s support includes paying the deposit on an apartment and utilities, as well as providing some food pantry items. Sandy was obviously excited at the prospect of once again having a place to call her own.

“The shelter was a huge help,” she said. “But moving to the apartment is really exciting. I’m very lucky because I have a lot of support. It’s amazing how many doors open.”