Press Room

Michael Foster went from attorney to homeless in less than a year, but thanks to Carrfour Supportive Housing, he, his wife and baby have a place to live.

The nonprofit gave them an apartment in the agency's new apartment complex in Little Havana for homeless families.

Foster's sudden breakdown occurred earlier this year when his pregnant wife, Wendy Tamez, had a car accident and was unable to continue working as a dental hygienist.

Without medical insurance, the couple had to pay the hospital bills.

But their bad luck was far from over.

This summer, Tamez, while eight months' pregnant, fell down the stairs and broke her leg; Foster had to stop working to take care of her.

``All this really created a financial hardship for us, and it just got to the point where we could not stay afloat,'' Foster said.

After losing their home, Foster and his wife -- who gave birth to daughter Kristin last month -- were left without a place to go.

But the nonprofit Carrfour was there to help them.

``Carrfour always asked us what we needed and tried to care for us all the time,'' Foster said. ``I'm just so grateful.''

The nonprofit provided the family with a furnished apartment for free while they get back on their feet. Their unit is one of the more than 70 apartments that are part of the organization's newly opened Villa Aurora project in Little Havana.

The new complex is designed to give housing to people in a bind -- who would be on the streets if they didn't have an apartment at Villa Aurora.

But the building, 14th Avenue and Southwest First Street, is more than a housing development. With a branch of the Hispanic Library scheduled to open on the ground floor, Villa Aurora is also a cultural center.

A team of social workers are on site, ready to help residents. A day care also provides the families with a place to leave their children while at work. And there's an after-school tutoring program for older kids.

Getting one of the building's units, however, is not easy. The homeless must first show that they have been free of drugs and alcohol for more than six months. During their time at Villa Aurora, they are tested periodically.

Low-income families who move into the building pay rent on a sliding scale.

``It is a new start for these families,'' said Stephanie Berman, the organization's director.

Carrfour opened its door in 1993. Today, the organization serves about 1,300 men, women and children each year.