My Journey - Sheyla Price

My Journey

My name is Sheyla Price,

and I’m so grateful to be here today to share a little bit of my journey, one that has truly changed my life and my son’s life.

I don’t usually share this with many people, but I am a widow and now mother in recovery, and this coming January I’ll be celebrating four years clean and sober. About three years ago, I became pregnant and had nowhere to go. But thankfully, I was welcomed into Visitation House, a Catholic-based home for single women with unplanned pregnancies.

I stayed there for about two years, surrounded by caring staff and ten other new mothers who understood what I was going through. That place gave me more than just a roof over my head, it gave me faith, hope, and the chance to bring a healthy baby boy into the world, a child I know is loved by God.

Shortly before leaving Visitation House, I was approved for the HomeBase program and began my search for stable housing. That’s when I met my housing specialist, Shyla English, who supported me through every single step. She believed in me, saw how hard I was working, and never gave up on me.

Through my journey of trying to find an apartment, I had to overcome many obstacles, I had no credit, no rental history, and was turned down by so many places. Each “no” was hard, but I kept going. After three long months of searching, a landlord finally decided that I would be his next tenant. When Shyla called to tell me the news, we both screamed with joy! That moment is something I’ll never forget.

Receiving my HomeBase voucher and finally being able to move into our home was one of the greatest blessings of my life. For the first time, I could look at my son and say, “We’re going home.” That feeling meant everything.

Today, I continue to work with the Central Mass Housing Alliance, with my case manager Matt Sanborn, and my employment specialist Kayuana Turner who help me stay focused and keep building toward my future. I’m proud to say that I’m hoping to possibly start dental assisting school this January! Something I never thought would be possible a few years ago.

I’m so thankful for the programs and people who make this kind of support possible. You don’t just give families like mine housing, you give us hope, strength, and a second chance.

My son and I are living proof that with faith, love, and the right support, change is possible.

Thank you for helping families like mine find not just a house, but a home.