Originally published in the 2024 DRC Annual Report
On May 17, 2022, the Smith family faced one of the most difficult experiences of their lives. Scott, his wife Wendy, and their daughter Natalie suddenly found themselves homeless for the first time. With nowhere else to go, they sought refuge in a crowded shelter on East Lancaster Avenue, carrying all their belongings in their arms. “We were homeless for the first time in our lives. Accept it. So, we did,” Scott later recalled about that harrowing first night.
Their struggle was even more complicated by their youngest daughter, Natalie, who has special needs and relies on a wheelchair for mobility. Finding a safe, accessible shelter wasn’t just a priority; it was a necessity.
That evening, they were relieved to be greeted by a warm and understanding face at the front desk, offering them a glimmer of hope. But that hope was quickly overshadowed by the daunting reality ahead: securing a stable, wheelchair-accessible home for Natalie.
“We were homeless for the first time in our lives. Accept it. So, we did.” - Scott Smith.
The Smiths pinned their hopes on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, a federal initiative that helps low-income families afford safe housing by subsidizing rent. For months, they watched as other families were approved, anxiously waiting for their turn. Wendy made endless phone calls, tirelessly searching for a place that could accommodate their daughter’s needs. But each call ended in disappointment. As time passed, their hope faded, replaced by a numbing sense of helplessness.
What happened next would change everything.
“One beautiful day, my wife, daughter, and I were outside the facility, waiting in line for a bus loaded with clothing and necessities. Suddenly, we were approached by two kind women and a very sincere police officer,” Scott recounted.
That officer was Fort Worth Police Officer Andrew Johns, and the women were DRC Street Outreach Team Leads Diana Salazar and Judy Garza. They introduced the Smiths to resources they had believed were out of reach. They provided them with bus passes, ensuring Natalie had access to wheelchair-friendly transportation for important appointments. Most importantly, they saw how deeply these strangers cared. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Scott and Wendy asked who they were.
The Smiths had just met the HOPE Team.
The Homeless Outreach Programs and Enforcement (HOPE) Team is a collaborative initiative in Fort Worth, Texas, bringing together the city’s Police and Fire Departments, mental health professionals from My Health My Resources (MHMR) of Tarrant County, and DRC’s Street Outreach team. Instead of simply moving people from place to place, the HOPE Team works proactively to connect unsheltered individuals with long-term solutions- including housing.
With the HOPE Team and DRC by their side, the Smiths' journey took a turn toward home. As months passed, DRC continued to advocate for them, ensuring their needs weren’t overlooked. But time was running out. An extreme freeze was set to hit North Texas in late December 2024, and the Smiths were still without permanent housing. The urgency was clear.
With the freeze set to hit within the next 24 hours, the call finally came. The Smiths had been approved for a wheelchair-accessible apartment, and they could move in immediately. Relief washed over Scott and Wendy. After nearly two years of uncertainty, they had a home. They had safety. They had stability. But for little Natalie, something was missing.
“She absolutely loves nightlights,” Scott shared. Officer Johns had once promised her a custom nightlight, and true to his word, he delivered—a personalized nightlight with her name on it. That small but meaningful gift became a powerful symbol of everything the Smiths had gained: not just a home, but a community that cared. Through the dedication of the HOPE Team and DRC Solutions, the Smith family had finally found their way home, their journey illuminated by the kindness of those who refused to give up on them.
