I was born in Tuva (Russia) and I didn’t know that I would come to the USA. In 2013, I had to flee from Russia to Thailand. I lived there for 10 years as an illegal refugee. After that, I was approved by USCIS under the UN Refugee Resettlement Program. I arrived in the USA in February 2024. My resettlement agency CWS rented me a place to live, but didn’t help me find a job. I tried everything on my own in an unfamiliar country, and as a result, I had a panic attack. I was alone. It was impossible to find a job, I had no money for rent I didn’t know what to do. I ended up homeless. I didn’t understand how this happened, why I couldn’t find a job, was it because of my age, race, or that I was a refugee?!

“My heart was pounding as I walked to WSM. When social worker Margie met me, I couldn’t believe that she was registering me in the shelter. A ray of sunshine or divine light fell on me. I was accepted!” 
– Kim, Water Street Guest

But one of my friends told me about Water Street Mission. I was so afraid that WSM might not accept me. I was mentally depressed by the circumstances and not understanding why the UN program didn’t work. My heart was pounding as I walked to WSM. When social worker Margie met me, I couldn’t believe that she was registering me in the shelter. A ray of sunshine or divine light fell on me. I was accepted! My hands were shaking not from fear, but from delight. Then when she offered me coffee or water, I was shocked. To be honest, I am used to the fact that I am not accepted because I cannot express my opinion normally in English, but I have never seen so many kind  people anywhere like in WSM. I am grateful to God that I am in WSM. If you have the opportunity, then support Water Street Mission financially. I am a person without an income, but thanks to donations I have food, a bed and a safe place. God bless Water Street Mission and you who support this great place!