Today, Solutions for Change turns 23! As we reminisce on our favorite memories, we want to share how Solutions came about.
It was the winter of 1999, when Chris and Tammy Megison encountered a 9-year old homeless girl named Jessica living on the floor of a shelter. The girl pulled Chris’ sleeve and asked, “Hey mister, do you live here too?”
Chris got down on one knee, looked into the girl’s eyes and said, “I don’t live here, sweetie, and my wife and I are going to do everything possible so you and your family won’t have to live here either.”
Chris and Tammy knew it wasn’t right for babies and children to be sleeping on the floor of an emergency men’s winter shelter, and that’s when the Solutions for Change vision was born.
Chris and Tammy realized the entire homelessness response system was woefully inadequate to manage the true needs of homeless families. Their vision was different from the current “handout” approach and instead focused on innovative, permanent solutions that were focused on well-being and capacity building.
Today, Solutions for Change addresses the root causes of poverty and dependency, and equips people with the skills, knowledge and resources to permanently solve their challenges and transform their life. We blend affordable housing, education, employment training, career pathways and personal development all within one cohesive program. Solutions for Change is a beacon of hope for all who seek to overcome.
In the past 23 years, Solutions for Change has served over 1,300 families and 2,800 children. Each year we strive to serve even more families, and serve these families even better. We wouldn’t be able to do it without our community. Thank you for your 23 years of love and support.
