Stacy is a resident at the Navigation Center and has an amazing story leading up to having her court fine dismissed in our September Homeless Court Graduation. Before coming to the Navigation Center, she had been homeless for more than a decade. She was originally from Indiana and was married with three children. She had struggled with psychological medication and alcohol. The result was a deterioration of her family relationships, leading her to leave Indiana by herself, ending up here in Merced. Being homeless in Merced, she eventually heard about the Merced County Rescue Mission and the Navigation Center where she was eventually admitted.

She struggled for a while, but through her Service Coordinator, she was introduced to the Homeless Court Program and decided to look into having her fine dismissed by volunteering her time and working as many hours as needed to satisfy her court fine. She accomplished her goal, and since then, with the help of her Service Coordinator, she has been able to get her necessary identification papers, health insurance, glasses, and beautiful dentures. She volunteers two days per week at the Senior Citizens Café and is working towards securing a job and permanent housing. Great job, Stacy! Proud of you!