From Survival to Stability: Jane’s Path Forward
Content Warning: mentions of DV and manslaughter
After years of violence, loss, and homelessness, Jane’s journey shows how the right support at the right moment can change everything.
By Tyf Brisbane
I first met Jane back in March of 2024; she was sleeping in her car (due to be repossessed any day and on empty) across the street from the cemetery where her daughter was buried.
She was living her life her way. By 25, she had purchased her own house, had three children and met who she thought was the love of her life. But this dream was not a reality as her boyfriend was incredibly violent towards her. She endured five years of domestic abuse resulting in multiple broken bones, ER visits, permanent spine damage, and a lifelong journey of healing PTSD.
Despite her partner receiving multiple domestic abuse charges, restraining and protective orders, Jane was constantly in danger. One day, during one of their fights, without even realizing it at first, she closed her eyes and shot him. She woke up in the hospital later and was informed that he had passed. She went to prison for manslaughter but was eventually found not guilty due to the years of domestic abuse.
Due to being incarcerated and abused for years, she lost the house she bought for her and her children; she had a manslaughter charge, and no employment or housing.
But Jane did not give up. She was and has been incredibly hopeful since we first had our housing support intake into our Project Longevity program (learn about it below). Despite being rejected from multiple housing options and sleeping in her car with multiple chronic injuries, she persisted in working with me to find housing.
Project Longevity was granted a handful of Section 8 vouchers to distribute to our clients with gun related charges (Section 8 is a federal assistance program that helps low-income families, elderly individuals, and disabled persons afford safe and decent housing in the private market). Jane was a priority for this due to her criminal history, injuries that turned to disabilities, and mental health challenges she faces day to day. In August of 2025, we finally found an incredibly supportive local landlord to accept her.
Jane was able to start working again and was so grateful to be able to provide for her two children (now adults) and her grandmother. She was also able to begin physical therapy and start multiple healing processes.
Her Section 8 voucher was finally approved earlier this week! She called in tears about having the support she has had since she entered our program and how unbelievable it felt. The process was not easy, and her healing is just now able to begin, finally!
She has dreams of working and supporting other local nonprofits to support others in the same way she has been! Her motivation is inspirational, and we can't wait to see all she will achieve!
Why Project Longevity Matters
Jane’s story highlights why Project Longevity is such a critical part of New Reach’s continuum of care. For individuals with complex histories—especially those impacted by violence, trauma, and involvement with the justice system—traditional housing pathways are often closed. Project Longevity helps bridge that gap by providing targeted housing resources, advocacy, and partnerships that recognize context, not just records. By pairing housing assistance with case management, health supports, and long-term stability planning, Project Longevity works alongside New Reach’s broader matrix of services to ensure people aren’t just housed, but supported in healing, rebuilding, and moving forward. Jane’s success is not the result of a single intervention, but of a coordinated system designed to make stability possible—even when the odds are stacked high.
