As the sun set over the Capitol Wednesday, Monique Wilson and Earline Bridges relaxed with their children at the Young Women's Christian Association, 101 E. Mifflin St., the largest provider of affordable housing to women in Dane County.
Monique's arms folded in her lap, a quiet smile on her face, as she watched her two children, Joshua and Jeremiah, giggle, laugh and play with Bridges' son, Sir. As the children enjoyed themselves, Monique talked candidly about her family, her regrets in life and her hopes for her future. She talked about her plans to become a pediatrician and her happiness at being given another chance to start life over with her family in Madison.
After years of being homeless and moving her family from city to city, Wilson said she feels she has finally found a place where she and Bridges can find jobs and raise their families together. The only glitch? These 18-year-olds still have to graduate from high school first.
Stories such as Wilson's and Bridges' are not uncommon in the Madison area. Hundreds of families, single parents and women use shelters like the YWCA or the Hospitality House, 116 W. Washington Ave., as temporary homes until they can find a job and live on their own.
However, for some single mothers like Wilson and Bridges, these refuges are not only a home, but a fresh start on life.
After becoming pregnant at an early age, both Wilson and Bridges left their homes and struck out on their own, depending on family and friends for aid. Eventually, however, both decided to leave their troubled family lives and violent neighborhoods in Chicago for Madison.
\There is a lot of violence in Chicago, and I didn't want my kids growing up in gangs or doing drugs,"" Monique said.
Monique and Earline said they both felt Madison was a calmer, less violent atmosphere where they could begin to raise their families.
Single women and families are allowed to stay at the YWCA for up to two years, during which time they can get their GED and learn skills such as money management.
""The number one reason people become homeless is that the family had no way to pay rent or manage their credit,"" said YWCA Resident Support Services Manager Gayle Ihlenfeld. ""Families are not homeless because they choose to be.""
Monique and Earline said they plan to earn their GEDs and hope to attend college. With her new skills, Earline said she wants to work at a nursing home or day care center. While the two women love the programs YWCA provides for them, both are waiting for the day when neither will need the system that got them back on their feet.
""I can't wait for the day when I own my first apartment and my son can have his own room,"" Earline said. ""It's up to me what my future is here.""
