My STORY : SOUL Sista Tangee Cox

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Growing up, Tanjalika never felt like she had a family. She was abused as a child and shuffled from one foster family to another without guidance or support anywhere she lived. By the time she was a teenager, Tanjalika was on her own. She eventually joined a gang because it gave her a sense of community and protection - something she never had growing up. For decades, Tanjalika was in and out of jail, engaging in criminal activity just to make ends meet. Tanjalika eventually married, but when her husband became violent, she packed up her son, Josiah, and left home without a plan or place to stay. For three years, she and Josiah alternated between staying with friends and sleeping in shelters. Sometimes, Tanjalika would send Josiah to stay with friends while she had no choice but to sleep on the street. Moving into LA Family Housing’s Tyrone House was the start of a new life for Tanjalika, her new baby Leah, and Josiah. After settling into their room, their lives began to stabilize, and Tanjalika began the process of recovering from the trauma she had experienced throughout her life. She began working with a case manager to find a permanent home where she could focus on rebuilding her life and keeping her children safe. Eventually, she moved into a beautiful two-bedroom apartment down the street from Josiah’s school. Now that Tanjalika’s family has a home, she is focusing on what matters most: being the support system for Josiah and Leah that she never had as a child. The family enjoys cooking, singing, and laughing together. Tanjalika continues to take advantage of the resources available to her at LAFH, such as health and wellness classes, substance use counseling, and budgeting support. “As I look back on my life, I am amazed at where I am today," she says. "I believe I can do anything after being a part of LA Family Housing.”
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Tangee Cox