Editor's note: In 2014, the News Tribune began a series called 'A Christmas Wish.' The articles, which are published the week leading up to Christmas, share the stories of people whose lives have been impacted by United Way of Central Missouri partner agencies. The series will conclude Christmas Eve.
Shirley Saville has lived at the Salvation Army Center of Hope four times before, but her latest two-month stay has been different.
With some assistance, Saville secured her first apartment in more than three years. She has no furniture, no appliances and few personal belongings. So now, she's wondering, what's next?
Saville said the Salvation Army staff that works with her at the Center of Hope have been great role models offering tremendous help.
The Salvation Army Center of Hope is a 31-bed shelter serving men, women and families. The center provides lunch and dinner to its residents and the community daily and offers access to a food pantry and social services assistance.
Last year, the location served more than 24,000 meals.
"The people that work here, they go beyond to help you," Saville said. "They give you so many chances."
Saville has been at the Center of Hope for two months, but it isn't her first time living at the shelter. She's stayed at Center of Hope four other times in the past.
She's been homeless for three years, which she has primarily spent living out of her vehicle -- an old truck she doesn't expect to be around much longer.
Saville, 59, traveled to Jefferson City from her son's home in St. Louis in the fall to seek help from the Center of Hope.
Since she began living at the shelter two months ago, Saville has received assistance getting her second federal stimulus payment, and a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher.
The voucher is what will allow Saville to move at the end of the year as it helps eligible users pay rent to a private landlord. Vouchers are administered by the Jefferson City Housing Authority, which requires recipients to find a landlord that will accept them and pay for the security deposit when they move in.
As of Dec. 8, Saville said she thinks she has found her apartment after a landlord said he would accept the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher.
"Once it started going, I kept getting blessing after blessing after blessing," Saville said.
After looking over four other apartments, Saville is fairly confident she's found the one.
She was getting ready to look at the property, located off West McCarty Street, and fill out an application Dec. 8.
"I'm feeling really good," she said. "And I'm so happy they gave me that chance."
Because of her disability, Saville isn't employed and relies on government assistance for an income. Staying at the Center of Hope has allowed her to save up enough money for the security deposit, she said.
The apartment becomes available Jan. 1, Saville said, and she's ready to move.
This Christmas, Saville is asking for help filling her apartment.
When she leaves, the Salvation Army will provide Saville with a few donated pots and pans, a box of food, her bedding and a voucher to the Salvation Army thrift stores.
She's currently set to move in without furniture, appliances, dishware or decorations to make the apartment her own.
Saville said a bed and television, as well as some cleaning supplies, are her biggest priorities, but she'll eventually need everything.
"I need everything for my apartment," Saville said. "I don't have anything -- I've been living in my truck. But, I'll get it accomplished little by little."
Another wish is to see her family and 13 grandchildren on Christmas, Saville said, which she'll travel to Grandview to do. This year, Christmas is at her oldest daughter's house, she said.
Before she departs, she said she wants her ducks in a row for the apartment.
With an apartment, Saville said, she wants to get back into a daily routine and take care of her medical needs.
In addition to being diabetic, Saville has a brain tumor.
Since being homeless, she hasn't had the time or resources to visit a doctor regularly.
"It's really starting to affect me," Saville said. "I throw things, my speech isn't right, and I don't think I think right sometimes."
Saville said she's put off going to the doctor for about two years, but she wants to make it a priority moving forward.
Saville's tumor will require surgery to remove, she said, so she will be looking at how to get that done once she's settled into her apartment.
Saville is also interested in going back to school online, but said that would be further down the road.
"It's going to change everything and the way I feel," Saville said.
How to donate
The United Way has established an “A Christmas Wish” fund, and donors can give a gift “in the name of” someone specific or a United Way partner agency.
In order to be tax-deductible, checks must be made payable to the United Way of Central Missouri and the United Way must retain the right to specifically determine who the donation will benefit.
A volunteer committee will oversee the distribution of the funds. If you want to help fulfill a Christmas wish in Mid-Missouri, mail checks to United Way of Central Missouri, 205 Alameda Drive, Jefferson City Mo., 65109. “News Tribune Christmas Wish Fund” should be noted on the memo line of the check.
Questions may be directed to Ann Bax, president of United Way of Central Missouri, at 573-636-4100 or [email protected].
Also in this Christmas Wish series:
A Christmas Wish: Man's wish is to visit his new grandson
A Christmas Wish: Compass Health provides a 'village' of care for clients
A Christmas Wish: 4-year-old celebrating adoption that changed his life
Annual Christmas Wish series highlights work of United Way agencies