The Journey Home: Sarah’s Story of Hope
Sarah’s resilience was evident from the very first day One80 Place’s outreach team encountered her.
After being introduced to Robert Beer, a member of our outreach team, he saw it immediately—fear, exhaustion, and a flicker of hope struggling to survive behind tired eyes.
Having endured the challenges of life on the streets for several years, Sarah had longed for even a single moment with someone like the man who now stood just inches away from her. She had no idea that what began as just another day would become one she would never forget.
“That evening, meeting Rob marked the first time I had felt safe in years. I will truly never forget it,” says Sarah.
Quickly recognizing the weight and urgency of the situation placed in his hands, Rob went straight to his team to share about the amazing—yet terribly fragile and frightened—woman he had met that evening.
For Sarah, homelessness had felt like a revolving door—spinning endlessly, with no way out.
As the Charleston summer approached, thick with humidity and heat, so did the painful two-year anniversary of the day her daughter was taken from her. With each passing day, Sarah felt hope slipping further from reach—until the evening she met Rob.
“Rob and his team believed in me, and that was all I needed to take the first step,” Sarah shared, reflecting on the moment that marked her new beginning.
Our team knew that Sarah’s fragility and meekness were no match for the summer heat, and we understood we had to act quickly. While we remained committed to doing everything we could to help her, it was Sarah’s own strength, resolve, and unwavering love for her child that carried her through.
Just two months later, Sarah stood inside a small but warm apartment, holding her daughter in her arms again. Laughter bounced off the walls as they celebrated her child’s fifth birthday.
Sarah’s eyes no longer carry the same weight. Her confidence shines through every story she tells and every photo she sends our way.
Today, Sarah and her little girl have a safe place to call home. But so many others are still out there, with no escape from the heat. Will you join us in helping more people like Sarah find their way?