3 Melissas

The Three Melissas: The Practical Guide to Surviving Family Homelessness

Tips and strategies to help parents experiencing homelessness navigate difficult paths while keeping their children safe

SUCCESSFUL! National Book Launch Sept. 18th, 2024

Available Now!

What People Are Saying

"This handbook is not only a must-have and necessary resource to assist families navigating homelessness but pushes each of us as individuals and a society to expand the narrative about homelessness by lifting the voices of three mothers and their lived experiences. The Melissas bring focus to homelessness impact on them as women, their children, and their survival and growth through lessons learned…A huge thank you to the Three Melissas for providing a guide that speaks to the experience of family homelessness, the need for self-care, parenting through disempowering circumstances, and supporting your own empowerment through self-advocacy."

“Parents who are experiencing homelessness do not need our judgment or our advice. They need our help… This book should be available in all schools, shelters, churches, family agencies, and libraries.”

"The Three Melissa’s Practical Guide on Surviving Homelessness is an ideal complement to traditional textbooks and research literature, for both undergraduate and graduate courses in social work, public policy, parenting/family relations, education, and psychology. This book provides a unique perspective on family homelessness, based on the lived experiences of mothers who have found ways to nurture and protect their children amidst desperate circumstances and “broken” systems that are meant to support families. Although their insight is primarily directed to other parents, this book—as an assigned reading in college courses— can educate and inspire future professionals and policymakers to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable housing, employment, and education. I highly recommend incorporating this book into your curriculum."

"I cannot tell you how much this survival guide is needed! The three Melissas are our experts, and they provide professional tips that those of us in stable housing never take into consideration…this guide really gives the ‘professionals’ working with this population the ability to walk in all three Melissa’s shoes…The guide also provides solid, practical information that really any human can use in their daily lives…it is essential that all schools have this guide available for their families, students, and professionals! It is a powerhouse of essential knowledge."

About This Website

When you’re a single mom, life’s already difficult. However, if you lose your housing, everywhere you turn you hit speed bumps and brick walls. Your kids are your most important focus, but you and your kids don’t know where to turn for help. Day-to-day survival takes up all your time.

No one gives any practical advice for how to get through what is for most the toughest circumstance ever—losing your place to live. Keeping your kids safe while searching for a safe place to live becomes your total focus. Unless you’ve been through this hardship, you don’t really understand how difficult this situation is.

That’s what makes The Three Melissas – The Practical Guide for Surviving Family Homelessness such an important handbook. It’s filled with tips from three mothers, all named Melissa, who experienced homelessness with their kids. Their advice is based on real experiences and they don’t hold back. They courageously share their wisdom to help parents make their difficult times a little easier for themselves and their children.

This website expands the tips in The Three Melissas – The Practical Guide for Surviving Family Homelessness to include resources that will be added continuously. Additions include briefs, slide presentations, podcasts, and links to other websites.

Note: This website is not a donation site or a site that provides any direct services or resources.

Upcoming Events

8

Oct.

Exploring Family Homelessness from the Eyes of 3 Melissas, a community discussion.

6 PM

21