The Role of Community Support Systems

The following story reflects the experiences many families face when housing instability, illness, domestic violence, and economic hardship intersect. The story highlights the importance of coordinated community support systems and the role multiple agencies can play in helping families navigate periods of crisis and transition.

She is a woman in her mid-30s and a mother of three, someone who has spent years trying to keep her family stable through circumstances that changed quickly and often beyond her control.

In 2018, she first connected with Community Council’s Coordinated Entry Team after falling behind on rent when an illness interrupted her ability to work. At the same time, limited childcare made it difficult to maintain steady employment. During that period, she remained actively engaged with support systems in the community. LINC assisted with food support and contributed toward her past-due rent balance, while Sts Joachim and Ann’s Care Service also helped prevent eviction through rental assistance. Even during a difficult period, she continued seeking resources and working toward housing stability rather than disengaging from services.

In 2020, her situation became even more complex when she made the decision to leave a domestic violence situation in order to protect herself and her children. She entered a domestic violence shelter during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, when childcare options were limited and employment opportunities were unstable. During this time, she stayed connected to Community Council’s Coordinated Entry Team and was referred to Sts Joachim and Ann’s Care Service for ongoing case management support as she worked toward identifying longer-term housing options.

When her time in shelter ended before permanent housing was secured, she transitioned into temporary motel placement. Despite continued instability, she identified an opportunity for both housing and employment out of state and relocated in hopes of creating a more stable future for her family.

In May 2025, she again resurfaced in the tri-county area, at one point residing in her vehicle while continuing to express a clear desire for stable housing and consistent employment. Even during periods of uncertainty, she remained engaged with services and continued searching for opportunities to improve her situation.

By early 2026, she reported having relocated out of state once more and achieving stable housing.

Her history reflects the reality many families experience when illness, domestic violence, childcare barriers, and economic instability intersect. It also reflects the importance of coordinated community support systems—including Community Council’s Coordinated Entry Team, LINC, domestic violence services, and Sts Joachim and Ann’s Care Service—that remained connection points throughout multiple periods of crisis and transition.

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Have you ever wondered how stories like these are gathered and shared?

Many of the insights that help communities better understand homelessness and housing instability come through outreach efforts, case management, coordinated assessments, and documentation entered into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). HMIS is a secure data system used by housing and service providers to help coordinate care, track services, and better understand the needs and trends impacting individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

The CoC Marketing Committee gathered a few stories from this year’s Point-in-Time Count to help highlight the real experiences behind the numbers. These stories offer a small glimpse into the challenges many individuals face and the ongoing work happening across the community to support housing stability and long-term recovery.

Learn more about the St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren County Continuum of Care

Learn more about the annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count

If you or someone you know if expereinceing a housing crisis, Coordinated Entry is here to help. Learn how to Contact Coordinated Entry