When the pandemic hit, Robert Lynn and his wife lost their jobs. They traveled across the United States with their son, working for Uber Eats and Grubhub to cover basic expenses. Despite their efforts, they struggled financially and returned to Austin without a home.
After two years of instability, they noticed their son developing avoidance behaviors. "My wife and I, we got together, and decided we needed to get with a rescue center and see what we can do to show our son a better life than running from place to place to place,” Robert said.
The family reached out to The Rathgeber Center for Families, where they received support through various programs including financial literacy, job assistance, and therapy. Within 36 days at the center, both Robert and his wife secured full-time employment.
Robert acknowledged that entering the shelter not only helped them financially but also improved their family dynamics. “We do things as a family. We sit down and play board games at night. Mentally, physically, and emotionally we are in a much better place just being here 36 days," he shared.
Looking ahead, the family plans to move into their own home with aspirations of owning land one day. “They helped me build a foundation. And now I get to build up upon it," Robert noted.
Expressing gratitude towards The Salvation Army's partners, Robert stated: “It’s not a waste. It really saves people’s lives... I can't express enough what y’all do for us without even knowing us."