From The Streets To Stability

By Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer Five months pregnant and homeless, Ireenii Irvin found herself navigating between the confines of her car and the temporary refuge offered by friends and family. Faced with the stark reality of her situation, she maintained a profound desire for change after the birth of her son. “I looked my son in the eyes one of those days when I had him wrapped on a curb and made him a promise,” she recounted. “I said, ‘It ain’t gonna always be like this.’ And I said, ‘Mommy is going to do better.’” During a pivotal moment, Irvin disclosed her housing predicament during a wellness check with a social worker, leading her to discover Women’s Empowerment, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering homeless women in the Sacramento area. Its mission is to equip women with the skills necessary to secure employment, housing, and maintain a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their children. Graduate of Women Empowerment 94th cohort, Ireenii Irvin, recites a poem during the Women Empowerment Graduation ceremony. Amayah Harrison, OBSERVER Women’s Empowerment conducts a comprehensive nine-week job readiness and empowerment program four times annually. Participants undergo an intensive curriculum, 9 a.m.-2 p.m weekdays, aimed at...