Meet our Community: Georginna

When La Pine resident Georginna moved to Central Oregon last summer to be closer to her son, daughter-in-law and their new baby, she never could have guessed how difficult it would be to secure a consistent spot for her trailer. Her family has roots in Central Oregon: her mother was one of nine children born into a farming family in Bend last century, when the area looked very different than it does now.

When Georginna moved to Central Oregon with her trailer last summer, she was able to find a space for rent for $700/month in Bend. However, when the summer months of 2021 came along, that space rental skyrocketed to $3,000/mo: a price she could not afford with her fixed income from Social Security Disability.

Georginna reached out to several different nonprofits initially, and each recommended she get in touch with Thrive. When Thrive Outreach Advocate Johannah called her back, they worked together quickly to apply for new spots that would work for her. In a short time period, they were able to find a long-term space that was less than what she had been paying.

The space is in La Pine, and though she will have to figure out transportation to Bend to see family and to attend medical appointments, she is relieved that her housing is no longer in question. Of her experience working with Thrive, Georginna says.

“Awesome organization with awesome & dedicated people working there. I’m just really happy with what you all did for me.”