OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Crystal Allenton never gave up hope, but she came close.
"I remember putting my head in my hands and taking some really deep breaths," said Allenton.
The single mother of three was out of friends and family to call.
She didn't know where she and her three children were going to sleep. The homeless shelter in Olympia was full.
"You have to believe and keep fighting that something good is going to come," said Allenton, who said she became homeless after a violent relationship with her ex-husband.
Instead of giving up, Allenton kept looking for affordable apartments and continued to call the shelter.
When two spaces opened up, she talked them into letting the four of them move in.
"We were used to sharing beds and we were used to sleeping on the floor," said Allenton.
After staying in the shelter for a month two Olympia charities helped the family find a home.
The Family Support Center and Help Us Move In, Inc. gave Allenton the money needed for a deposit and first and last month's rent at an Olympia three-bedroom home.
"To go from a shelter to what to us is a mansion is incredible," said Allenton.
Help Us Move In, Inc. is offering a matching grant to donors through the end of October.
For every dollar donated, Help Us Move In will donate a dollar to the Family Support Center.
Sarah Scherer, executive director of Help Us Move In, Inc., said they hope to expand their services to Grays Harbor County soon and eventually in other Washington communities.
Allenton is grateful for the help she received and hopes telling her story will help others.
"I can't tell you how amazing that was. That was the seed we needed to take the next step," said Allenton.
Resource links:
You can make a donation on the Help Us Move In. website.
