Rachel's Journey Home: From Living in Her Car to a Home for Her Family

The Journey of Rachel Gordon

In the world of social services, we often talk about giving people a “seat at the table.” But for Rachel Gordon, a seat at a table wasn’t just a metaphor — it was a luxury she didn’t have.

I felt safe knowing that I could finally have dinner with my kids, and they could do their homework at a table.

For months, Rachel’s “table” was the dashboard of her car, where she lived with her two children. She spent her days juggling the exhaustion of homelessness with the determination to stay in school and provide for her family. When she finally connected with an outreach worker from St. Joseph Center, her life began to shift from survival to stability.

Finding Her Seat

Through St. Joseph Center’s SOLA (South Los Angeles) Open Air program, a specialized interim housing community for families, Rachel moved into interim housing. The impact was immediate, and it appeared in the simplest of daily rituals.

“I felt safe knowing that I could finally have dinner with my kids, and they could do their homework at a table,” Rachel recalls. That physical table represented more than just a piece of furniture. It represented peace, safety, and the restoration of a sense of normalcy for her children. With the support of St. Joseph Center security and staff, Rachel finally had a stable foundation. She secured a seat at the table of community care.

As St. Joseph Center marks 50 years of serving Los Angeles with compassion, dignity and hope, Rachel’s story reflects how stability creates the foundation for rebuilding and growth.

Building Her Own

At St. Joseph Center, our goal is to provide a seat for those in crisis, but our mission is to empower people to build their own. As Rachel settled into housing, she began to master new life skills. She learned how to conduct housing walkthroughs, stayed diligent with follow-ups, and eventually secured her own permanent apartment. She didn’t just wait for a door to open. She learned how to build the frame. Today, Rachel’s journey has come full circle. As a person with lived experience, she has evolved from a program participant to a professional family advocate. She now works directly with women and families in crisis, teaching them the same skills she used to reclaim her life.

Rachel is no longer just sitting at the table. She’s helping others build theirs.

As part of St. Joseph Center’s 50 Stories for 50 Years of Impact, Rachel’s journey reflects how compassionate outreach and stable housing can transform lives — not only for individuals, but for families and communities.