Frances’s Story

After a long, hard journey, Frances sent, not just a note of gratitude, but she included a donation check to Upward Transitions with her “thank you” for the critical part the organization played in her life.

Five years ago, Frances was walking home when she stopped to rest on a bench near a shopping center. With an expired license, she was unable to drive. An unemployed chemist, Frances was over 50, losing her apartment, and staying with a friend. She was also on the verge of bankruptcy.

Suddenly, a man walked up, grabbed her purse, and tossed it to another man. She watched helplessly as they tossed it back and forth like a football and then ran away. Frances called for help, but no one came. Frances’s photo ID and Social Security card were both in her purse.

Without any form of photo ID, she could not obtain a copy of her birth certificate from Kansas, and without a birth certificate, she could not get a new photo ID.

A short time later, the friend she was staying with asked her to leave, so she found herself at City Rescue Mission. 

“City Rescue was an amazing and scary place at the same time,” Frances said. “I had donated and volunteered at other nonprofits in the past, but that’s a lot different than going through one.”

Without any form of identification, Frances had no means of getting employment, housing, financial services, or benefits. It seemed impossible to get back on her feet.

“I didn’t know where to start to prove who I was.” explained Frances

Frances looked online for help getting new IDs and found Upward Transitions. 

“So few nonprofits help with out of state IDs,” said Frances. “I was scared and kind of discouraged, but Upward Transitions said they’d find a way.” 

In the meantime, Frances started the Bridge to Life Program at City Rescue Mission where she learned the basics of Microsoft Word and keyboarding. She wrote that she felt like a baby starting over in life again.

“The whole experience helped build me back up,” said Frances. “It also gave me a crash course in homelessness, public transportation, and how nonprofits work.” 

Upward Transitions solved Frances’ ID problem, so when an opportunity at another nonprofit became available, she was hired there full-time. 

“My contacts and the experience of what I’d lived through helped me be able to work with nonprofits,” said Frances. “It’s exciting to see lives change.” 

Today, Frances is showing her appreciation by donating to the nonprofits that helped her when she needed it. 

“It wasn’t an easy road back,” said Frances. “But with Upward Transitions’ help, I’m now out of debt, my credit is restored, and I’m working full-time. I refer people frequently to Upward Transitions for help.”