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the second time's the charm
​ It may have taken a couple of round trips between California and Washington, but Brie and her daughter Athena are now here to stay. And they just landed a home of their own!
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Brie and Athena first came to Washington at the urging of Athena's father. Brie agreed because her parents were moving from California to Florida, and Brie did not want to go with them or stay in California without them. Athena's father's family lived in Skagit County and he wanted to be near them and have Brie and Athena close by as well. Brie and Athena lived with his mom for a while and calm prevailed at first, but Brie's ex eventually fell back into old, negative behavior patterns. Angry outbursts and episodes of abuse were common. Brie says "his behavior affected everyone," and, "we tried to live in close proximity but it didn't work."
Brie purchased a trailer in a small community and Athena's dad promised to fix it up for her. That didn't happen. Brie says that instead, he was using drugs and trying to get on disability even though he was physically able to work. Angry, abusive behavior continued until one day local police came. Determining that Brie did not feel safe, they referred her to the Anacortes Family Center. Brie and Athena moved to safety in Anacortes courtesy of a motel voucher. In under two weeks, an apartment opened up for mom and daughter in one of AFC's affordable housing buildings. "Calling AFC the first time was the best move I ever made," says Brie. With help from staff, Brie began a court case to restrict her ex from contact with Athena.
Brie and Athena lived on the AFC campus from spring 2022 until July 2024. At that point Brie decided it would be best for her and her daughter to move back to California where they would be near other family members and friends. They promised help so she could put Athena in school and attend school herself. No support materialized--the two were alone again in a place where the cost of living is high. Athena was getting bullied in school as well.
Brie recalled the time she and her daughter spent in Washington where the two "had a great experience." They were comfortable in Anacortes, and most of Athena's young life had been spent here. In November, Brie called AFC's Operations Manager, David Godfrey, and asked, "What are the chances of coming back?" This time around, Brie and Athena moved through the Emergency Shelter program so they could get back on their feet. "The people who work at AFC are just fantastic," Brie says. Along with case management and other assistance, AFC staffers helped Brie prepare to be a good tenant. Through the Rent Ready program she learned about key ingredients such as renter's insurance. "I had no clue," recalls Brie.
Along the way Brie met a woman who has become a very close friend. Brie and her friend look after one another's children--they have created a strong system of support that works for everyone. "We are friends for life," Brie says. When Brie decided to come to Washington the second time, her friend flew to Sacramento to help her make the move. Brie recently found a permanent place to live in a small town in Snohomish County, and her friend is also moving there with her two daughters (who are near Athena's age). A wedding is in the future for Brie's friend, and the fianceè is now part of the mutual support relationship. Brie and Athena will fly back east later this year to attend the wedding.
These last few years have proven to be a journey of twists and turns for Brie. Above all, she has learned that "families are not just blood, families are those who have your back." Everyone at AFC is delighted that Brie has a steadfast, chosen family now, and that AFC was able to help.
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