Fellowship Housing Graduation at Light of Christ Church

On November 1, Light of Christ Church in Algonquin was filled with joy, hope, and inspiration as we celebrated the graduation of six remarkable moms from Fellowship Housing. Each of these incredible women has worked tirelessly to build a brighter future for their families, overcoming challenges with resilience, courage, and determination.

The morning was a beautiful blend of laughter, breakthroughs, and heartfelt moments, as the graduates reflected on their journeys and the growth they’ve experienced. The event was made possible through the dedication and care of the volunteers at Light of Christ Church, led by Philomena Bruner, whose hospitality and attention to detail ensured a flawless celebration.

Here’s what some of the graduates shared about their experience with Fellowship Housing:

“On December 16, I received what I call a divine phone call — a door that only God could open. I’ll never forget that moment. My son was lying on the couch, my daughter was sitting at the window, and when the phone rang, I stepped outside to hear what my advocate had to say. I’ll never forget her words: ‘You’ve been accepted into the program.’”

“This program has taught me so much. While going through it, you may not see the growth right away—but once you transition out, you realize the incredible impact it has. I’ve become a better version of myself, and my kids are thriving in every part of their lives. Most importantly—they’re happy!”

“My mom actually found out about Fellowship Housing through our church. When she told me, I jumped on it. I went through all the interviews — and I was just ready. Ready for a change. Desperate, honestly, to leave my mom’s house and create something of my own. Since joining Fellowship Housing, the change has been transformational. Fellowship didn’t just give us a safe, cozy place to live. It gave me breathing room. Space to figure out what I actually wanted — for myself, for my son, for our future.”

“I’ve been divorced since 2012, and like many single moms, I spent years just trying to make ends meet. I worked a lot of different jobs, but never earned enough to save, and my credit took a huge hit after the divorce. My car was repossessed, my credit cards went to collections, and honestly — I sometimes look back and wonder how I made it through those years at all. Almost two years later, I can list so many tangible changes. I have a safe, happy apartment that I love. My credit score has gone up by nearly 150 points. I have no credit card debt and actual savings. But the biggest changes can’t be seen on paper. Fellowship Housing gave me freedom — freedom from debt, freedom from living in constant crisis, and freedom to dream again.”

A heartfelt thank you goes to Alyssa Murdock for capturing these special moments through her photos, Compass Data Centers for preparing thoughtful gift baskets for the graduates, and the de Souza Family for donating fall baking mixes to bring joy to Fellowship Housing families.

Because of your generosity, Fellowship Housing moms are not just finding stability, they’re building strong, lasting legacies for their families. Thank you to every donor, partner, and friend who makes these transformational journeys possible. Your support continues to create brighter futures, one family at a time.