Trini & Anisto
How Trini’s 9-year-old son helped their family get back into housing.
Trini, her boyfriend Anisto, and their three kids Elijah, Keivon, and Ishmael moved from Hawaii to Oregon in September 2020. They had planned to stay with family to get support as they started their new life, but when they got here, their family was unable to support them in the ways that they needed. They found themselves staying in a friend’s garage. Anisto was able to get a job at Walmart, but Tini’s passport expired and as a Micronesian citizen, she needed it to apply for jobs.
“Being new in the states was very hard... I was nervous about everything,” shared Trini. “The hardest thing was thinking about my boys. I kept telling them to just go to school and try not to worry about everything. But they were a big help. Keivon talked to his teacher. That’s how we heard about the shelter.”
Keivon shared what was happening at home with his teacher, and she wanted to help. She came to the garage after school with clothes and food, and she called 211 – the coordinated entry point to receive social services. That same week they moved into Family Village.
“Ever since we got into shelter, everything was just so smooth. I felt so relieved. And along came [PHFS Housing Specialist] Herman, he was a big help.”
Herman immediately helped Trini apply for a new passport, but it took two months to process. During this time, Herman worked with Trini and Anisto on budgeting and finance skills, helping them learn how to save money. Once Trini’s passport arrived, she was hired as a Ramp Agent for Alaska Airlines. Two months after that, they moved into an apartment in Beaverton. Anisto transferred to a Walmart nearby, and the kids transferred schools in the fall.
Herman continues to be a resource for whatever Trini and Anisto need, but this month they told him they don’t need rent assistance anymore. They feel confident between their two incomes and all the budgeting knowledge they gained that they can take it from here. Herman continues to call to check in, and remind them that PHFS is always here if they need us.
