We would like to introduce Erin Thomas as the new Housing Navigator for the Navigation Center.

Erin writes, “I grew up in Coarsegold, California. I went to school there and started my family there. I held positions working for a collection agency as a bookkeeper, an office manager for an optometrist, and an assistant office manager to a busy veterinarian hospital. Although I enjoyed all those jobs, the job as Housing Navigator is the one I am most excited about. It is an opportunity to really make a positive difference in people’s lives.

At a young age, I began to struggle with a drug addiction, and it continued as I became an adult. I was able to maintain my family, home, and work-life, but in 2017 I lost my husband, and I went on a downhill spiral. The loss and grief were too much, and I relapsed after several years of staying clean. It took no time at all for me to lose everything I had worked so hard for, including my family.

My life was horrible, but like so many people with a substance abuse problem, I had to hit my rock bottom. I eventually found my way to a Rehabilitation Center. Upon my release, I was able to get into one of the Rescue Mission’s sober living homes for women, and my life has become manageable again.

Thanks to God and the Rescue Mission, my life has also been full of blessings. I am clean and sober; I have my family back; I have my own home again. I have this awesome opportunity to give back to the community through my new position as the Housing Navigator.

I look forward to working with community members and agencies to end the homeless epidemic in our area. I am excited about making a difference. I am excited about helping others find their forever homes.”

With sincere gratitude,

Erin Thomas