Why I Wish My Homeless Sister Could Live With Me in Germany
I just finished exchanging messages with my fiancé’s sister, who is currently facing a heartbreaking situation. The owner of her storage unit, where she keeps her life’s unsold belongings, is auctioning everything off because she can’t afford the payments. She’s temporarily staying at someone’s house, but it’s not safe—a place where even her child’s Pokémon cards aren’t secure. Before this, she lived in a homeless shelter in Salt Lake City, Utah. Initially, she was placed in a women’s shelter with her four children, where she felt somewhat safe. However, she was soon relocated to the downtown homeless shelter, a place she dreaded taking her children. Desperate for a better environment, she moved into an apartment owned by a friend’s husband, but it came with a problematic roommate prone to theft and chaos. Despite the reduced risk, it’s far from a secure place to call home.
My homeless sister is trying to find a job, but her efforts are hindered by her infected and decaying teeth, which dent her confidence at interviews. She struggles to exude strength and assurance. Additionally, she faces the challenge of child care, with her youngest not yet in school. She can’t afford daycare or babysitters and considers having her eldest daughter watch her siblings during interviews. Even so, the interviews haven’t been fruitful, primarily because of her lack of formal work experience—excluding the tireless work she has done to keep her family together.
They all sleep in a single room, ironically used as a party space by others when they are out. Others leave behind shot glasses on her mattress, the very place she lays her head. She pays for this room through chores, reminiscent of Cinderella in her attic. She hides her meager savings in her shoes and underwear to prevent theft. Stress-induced pain plagues her, but she lacks the time or space to meditate or relax. She’s unraveling while desperately holding her family together.
Some may wonder how a mother of four ends up in such dire circumstances. True, she made mistakes and poor choices that led to this situation, exacerbated by a system ill-designed to support her kind. She became pregnant with her first child young, with an absent father fleeing to Latin America. Her second child’s father tried to be present, but U.S. immigration policies resulted in him being deported on their son’s birthday. The stories behind pregnancies three and four follow a similar pattern.
Despite all this, she perseveres. Her youngest child, now 6, will start school soon. They once lived in subsidized housing, reliant on food stamps and housing assistance. But these supports didn’t cover utilities, phone service, or essentials like toilet paper and laundry detergent. Eventually, the pile of unpaid bills grew too high, and they were forced out. It’s easy to blame her entirely, but does she truly deserve a life of poverty, sleeping with one eye open and subject to constant worry?
As I sit here in Germany, with my modern conveniences, I reflect on the poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, calling for the tired, poor, and huddled masses yearning for freedom. Yet, the reality in the U.S. often seems starkly different. I wish my homeless sister could come to Germany, a place that supports families like hers.
Germany offered me a lifeline, a system that assists and uplifts those in need. Upon returning here with my daughter, we immediately accessed crucial support: comprehensive health insurance, housing assistance, and monetary support for essentials and early parental leave. The encouragement and resources motivated me to contribute positively to society, as I am now studying English and German tuition-free thanks to BaföG, a grant that supports students.
Years ago, I experienced poverty in the U.S. firsthand. I was married to a U.S. citizen but couldn’t legalize my stay due to financial constraints. I performed odd jobs, never earning enough to pay taxes, but thankfully, I didn’t have children to worry about. When my marriage ended, I became pregnant by another man and faced the terrifying reality of raising a child without means. We couldn’t even afford basic prenatal care.
My choices weren’t much better than my sister’s. We both made poor decisions, but everyone deserves support. It’s not about a free ride—it’s about providing a chance to rise, to overcome mistakes, and to contribute meaningfully. The U.S. often spurns those in need, yet under every struggling exterior lies potential waiting to be unlocked with a little help.
I wish my homeless sister could have that chance here in Germany, where a supportive system might allow her to regain stability and dignity. Everyone deserves even one opportunity to turn their life around, free from constant fear and regret, with the chance to build a future full of hope.
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Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198 Call us today!
Website: https://www.eastwinddentalcare.com
Dentist in Hillsboro, OR - East Wind Dental Care provides general dentistry in Hillsboro. Make your next family dentist appointment at East Wind Dental Care. General Dentistry, Preventative Dentistry, Pediatric (Kids!) Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Tooth Replacement. Crowns and Bridges, Dental Implants & Mini Dental Implants Dentures (with specialty), Complete denture, Partial Dentures.
East Wind Dental Care
Family and cosmetics dentistry in Hillsboro Oregon.
We at East Wind Dental Care are committed to providing quality dental care to families located in the Hillsboro and Beaverton area and treat patients of all ages. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patients' oral health needs. Believing in the importance of listening to our patients, we take the time to truly understand each person's needs, goals, and lifestyle. By understanding our patients' objectives we can provide solutions that will improve their health while transforming their smile into something bright and beautiful.
East Wind Dental Care at Hillsboro, Oregon provides a wide variety of dental services and procedures to address all of our patients' dental health needs. By combining quality patient care with up-to-date technology, we are able to treat patients of all ages in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Our website includes information on the following items: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, Dental Veneers, Dentures, Dental Crowns and more. Our Dentist and expert staff are trained to not only treat patients but to identify what caused the health concern in the first place. This comprehensive approach sets patients of East Wind Dental Care in Hillsboro on the road to recovery and long term oral health.
When you walk into the office of East Wind Dental Care you will be immediately greeted by our friendly staff who are dedicated to making sure that you feel comfortable during your entire appointment. We understand that patients can feel anxious when going to the dentist, and our staff will take the time to listen to all of your concerns and help you understand exactly what your procedure is going to be like. At East Wind Dental Care we pride ourselves on being an affordable family dentist that accepts a variety of insurance plans and payment options like cash and credit cards, because we want to provide a beautiful, healthy smile to everyone in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area. Call East Wind Dental Care today at 503-614-0198 to see why we are the dentist of choice in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland area.
East Wind Dental Care
Address: 7546 NE Shaleen St Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA
Phone: 503-614-0198 Call us today!
Opening Hours Mon - Fri: 8:00 - 17:00 and Saturdays with appointments.
Website: https://eastwinddentalcare.com/
Make an appointment online at https://eastwinddentalcare.com/contact-3/
