Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Williams.
Hi Janet, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2018, I was positioning myself to become a first-time homeowner. My credit score was increasing. I was saving consistently and doing what my realtor was instructing me to do. However, the unexpected happened. I had to undergo eye surgery from a detached retina that seemed it came out of nowhere. My insurance didn’t cover most of my medical expenses so I had to pay out of pocket. Then unexpected financial concerns happened. I had more bills than income. I couldn’t pay rent. I stayed with friends and relative but could not save enough to regain self-sufficiency.
In 2019, after living in an extended stay hotel, friends helping me to live in hotels to sleeping in my car with my daughter, I checked in at the Arlington Life Shelter on Mother’s Day. With two academic degrees, formerly earning $60,000 a year, I found myself asking, “How did I get here?” That was my pride asking. I knew I needed help so my pride melted and I entered a new world, a path to my destiny.
For six months in 2019, my life was changed forever. I discovered clearly my community purpose. While living at the Arlington Life Shelter, I realized that what I was going through paled in comparison to the amazing people I met and their stories. Pastors, editors, businessmen, teachers, college students, former professional athletes, mothers, grandmothers, and people from every walk of life lived in the Arlington Life Shelter. I captured my journey to purpose in my booklet, “The Suffering Won’t Last Forever” and my poem, “My Journey”. Furthermore, I was inspired to start Segue Living Center. I had a new compassion in helping people regain and become self-sufficient.
Today, Segue Living Center provides a homeless prevention program called H.O.M.E.sm (Helping Others Meet Expenses) emergency assistance program which assists families with essentials like utilities and rent, support services to the Arlington Life Shelter, collaborations with local agencies, churches, and businesses that share like vision.
Segue Living Center plans to secure a facility that provides the H.O.M.E.sm extended assistance program and support services to families as they transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My journey has not been smooth. However, the challenges of living with total strangers with many issues, finding full-time or substantial employment, managing car maintenance, maintaining my mental health, securing housing, and embracing my journey of purpose were real but surmountable.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I possess over 15 years in accounting and auditing in various city governments as a senior accountant in internal control training and reporting, assisting award-winning financial reporting teams, property assessor, and auditor. I worked a few years in the corporate world at major retail store in accounts payable.
Seemingly, all of my life, I served in churches and nonprofit organizations. My passion is serving families in the community
I am a lead consultant of my own nonprofit consulting business, My Business Administrator, LLC.
My heart and compassion for serving families and developing effective programs and services for them sets me apart from others.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I enjoy reading books that are inspirational and motivational. Sometimes I write inspirational poetry. The Holy Bible and attending spiritual connect groups help me do my best in life. I do not have particular apps, podcasts, or blogs that I use consistently.
Contact Info:
- Email: seguelivingcenter@gmail.com
- Website: seguelivingcenter.org
- Instagram: seguelivingcenter
- Facebook: seguelivingcenter
