SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Tumika Condon is starting over in life.
After hitting a rough patch, the mother and her one-year-old son Emery needed a place to live.
“Everything was just kind of expensive at the moment, and we couldn’t afford the bills where we was,” Condon said.
Now, the mother and son are at the Bishop Dudley Center for Families where they live in their own room.
“I love it here. I like that they give you your own space,” Condon said.
The Center for Families can house up to 10 families.
The nonprofit’s central Sioux Falls location, which also houses individual guests, had fewer rooms for families.
“This is such a nice space because we have much larger rooms,” said Heidi Dean with the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House.
The Center for Families also comes with a large dining room, indoor and outdoor play areas, and a computer lab.
“This is where the kids and families can come and they can get online and they can get help with homework. They can get help with applying for positions,” Dean said.
Condon enjoys getting to know the other families living at the center.
“You meet new friends that are in the same boat and that aren’t going to judge you for what you’ve done in your life or where you’re struggling really bad,” Condon said.
The center also features more space to bring in resources to help people in need.
“Everything from focusing on health, both their physical health, mental health and then we have some financial folks that are going to come in and talk about literacy with some of our families,” Dean said.
Dean says the goal is to help families transition out of the Center for Families in 90 days, but that target can be adjusted based on the circumstances.
“What we do look for is progress. We want them to be making the next steps, so it could be a quick transition, it could be someone who just needs to save up a few paychecks so they can afford a deposit on a new place. Someone could be starting with absolutely nothing except the clothes on their back and a backpack, and we know that’s going to take months,” Dean said.
Condon isn’t sure what her life would look like right now without the Center for Families.
“I don’t even like to think about that right now because I don’t know. My brain can’t comprehend the fact that if I didn’t have this place right now, I don’t know where we would be,” Condon said.
Still, the mother is hopeful as she works to get back on her feet.
“Life is awesome. Life is great. I love life. Despite the struggles of life and the obstacles that are thrown at you, I still find a reason to smile every day, which is my son,” Condon said.
Condon plans to start working once she gets her son into child care.
