Rowena’s story: how a resilient mother tackled housing stability with support from 360 Communities
Facing homelessness
When Rowena Jones found herself on the verge of homelessness, she knew she had to act, for her sake and her family’s. “We were one paycheck away from losing everything,” Rowena recalls. “And then that check came up short.” Her son, Sylvon, a creative and affectionate second grader at Moreland Elementary, began missing school due to housing and transportation struggles. One day, he looked at his mom and said, “This is getting ridiculous. I’m missing too much school.” The moment pushed Rowena to reach out for help.
Partners for Success
That’s when she connected with 360 Communities’ Jenna Styles Spooner, Partners for Success family support worker and Housing for Success housing navigator. Working out of a Moreland Elementary School office, Jenna provides stabilizing resources and emotional support to families. “Sometimes my work involves helping families get school supplies or food,” Jenna explains. “Other times, it’s much more serious. When I heard about Rowena and Sylvon, I knew housing support was the priority.” Together, they tackled the family’s urgent needs: food, clothing, transportation, and the long road to stable housing.
“Jenna didn’t judge me,” Rowena says. “She wrapped her arms around me and walked with me through every step.”
That path was not easy. Old rental debts and a past eviction made the housing search difficult. At one point, Rowena’s application was denied after a debt she believed was resolved resurfaced. “I was crushed,” Rowena says. “But I didn’t give up. I called the collection agency, got the fees reduced, and my husband and I went to work. We saved every dollar and paid it off.”
Communication was key
Jenna says Rowena was an open and honest communicator from the beginning. Throughout the journey, Rowena stayed in close contact with Jenna. “She would text me every day, even if she just needed to vent her frustrations,” Jenna says. Eventually, Rowena’s resilience paid off and her family was approved for a three-bedroom apartment. Sylvon now has his own room and a consistent place to call home. “He thanks me every day,” Rowena says. “We’re not bouncing around anymore.”
Hope
With housing secured, Rowena landed a new job. She is now working toward her next big goal: owning a home. Jenna says Rowena’s perseverance was key. “She didn’t just ask for help. She followed through, stayed engaged, and kept moving forward even when it got hard.”
For Rowena, the experience has been life-changing. “360 Communities didn’t just help us survive. They gave us hope. Jenna is more than a support worker. She’s family now.” Rowena is already giving back. “I’ve helped my daughter and my aunt find housing. I’m not done. I want to leave a mark. I want people to know that stability is possible.”