Finding Home and Hope: Nolan and Willow

When Nolan and Willow came to CEDARS, they were young parents navigating parenthood with no guidance or support. While couch surfing with their two-year-old son, Colton, they faced daily uncertainty and real danger—there was nowhere safe for little Colton to sleep.  

From the day they came to us, we worked tirelessly to help the family find safe, stable housing. When that proved to be very difficult, their support worker, Nicole, reached out to a CEDARS board member who owns a real estate company, and she stepped in to help. Together, they found a place the family fell in love with the moment they walked through the door.  

It was more than an apartment; it was a fresh start and a sense of stability they hadn’t had in a long time. It was a true home for their family. 

Now settled in their own home, Nolan is working to provide for his young family, and Willow is pursuing her GED. When Nicole visited the family, she watched their son exploring and playing freely, and realized they needed a little extra guidance to keep him safe. She helped them by filling their home with outlet covers and safety measures wherever he could reach—small touches that make a big difference. 

Nicole says this family’s story shows exactly what CEDARS does every day: sometimes all a family needs is someone to advocate for them. With support, guidance, and a community willing to step in, Nolan, Willow, and their son Colton are building a home full of hope, safety, and possibility.