A Place to Call Her Own
One Four-Year-Old’s Journey Through the Interfaith Hospitality Network
By Henry Taksier
On the surface, Destiny is like any other four-year-old — easily bored, energetic, and unaware that her future hangs on a thread. Cantrice, her 28-year-old mother, left Chicago last year in search of a better place to raise her kids. In Gainesville, she struggled to find an adequate place to sleep at night. Destiny’s father, who had been “missing in action” for years, wasn’t going to help. On July 10, she entered the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Gainesville, a nonprofit dedicated to sheltering homeless parents and children.
Destiny enjoys a cup of sweet tea Nov. 3 at a local church where she and her family will sleep for the next three days, hosted by the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
Destiny waits for her dinner Oct. 31 with other homeless children and parents.
Destiny relaxes Nov. 6 on a mattress at the Interfaith Hospitality Network’s Day Center, which serves as a temporary hub between shelters.
Destiny and Jalen, her eight-year-old brother, kill time at the Alachua County Headquarters Library downtown. In the meantime, their mother searches for jobs and apartments in Gainesville.
Destiny and Jalen prepare to leave the church Nov. 6 before settling into a new shelter.
Destiny releases her energy Oct. 31 at a local playground.
Cantrice carries Destiny to their new bedroom Nov. 6 at another church in northwest Gainesville to watch a movie before bedtime.
Destiny lies on a suitcase containing most of her family’s possessions Nov. 6 before unpacking and settling into her new shelter. After 120 days of sleeping in churches, Cantrice plans to stay with her brother for a few more weeks before moving into her permanent home by Dec. 1.
For additional photos and commentary, check out Numbers and Shadows.
