Lisa* didn’t have a driver’s license. No car. No easy way to get around.

But she did have a daughter to get to school—and a determination not to let their circumstances decide what was possible. Buses in Lancaster run on limited schedules and don’t reach many places.

So, she found an e-bike.

It wasn’t something our team was used to navigating, and it raised new questions: Where would it be stored? Where could it be charged? How could it be kept secure? We’d even had one stolen recently, despite a lock.

Instead of assuming or pushing forward without guidance, she did something simple—and powerful. She asked. She sat down with staff and talked it through. Together, we worked one step at a time to make it possible. At night, the e-bike could be safely stored and charged in the lobby of the night shelter. During the day, we helped find a secure place for it to be locked up. It wasn’t perfect, and it wasn’t instant— but it worked.

And more importantly, it meant Lisa’s daughter stayed in school. It meant appointments were kept. Life kept moving forward.

What stood out most wasn’t the bike—it was Lisa’s persistence. She kept showing up. She made sure her daughter got to school. And instead of trying to figure everything out on her own, she asked questions and worked with staff to make a plan that would actually hold.

Now, Lisa is getting ready to move into her own place with her daughter. The e-bike wasn’t the goal—it was just what she needed for this season to keep life moving forward.

Moments like this remind us that progress doesn’t always look the same. Often, it’s simply people taking the next right step, with someone walking alongside them. Thank you for making moments like this possible. Your generosity allows us to meet people with flexibility, dignity, and care—helping neighbors bridge the gap toward a more stable future.

*Name changed to protect anonymity.