When the System Comes Together: Supporting a Grandparent Through Crisis
Sometimes, it’s the unexpected moments that reveal the strength of a system—and the compassion behind it.
Recently, a grandparent staying in one of the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) emergency shelters found themselves in a sudden, life-altering situation: they were unexpectedly asked to take custody of their grandchild. While this was a moment of deep personal significance, it also came with a wave of uncertainty. Where would they stay? Would they lose their shelter bed? How could they care for a child while experiencing homelessness?
Overwhelmed but determined to do the right thing, the individual reached out to the Homeless Connection Line (HCL)— often our community’s first point of contact for those in housing crisis.
The response that followed is a testament to what’s possible when systems work together.
Upon hearing the situation, the HCL worker didn’t hesitate. They immediately reached out to the Coordinated Entry Referral Team, who jumped into action to find if a solution was possible that would keep both the grandparent and their grandchild safe, sheltered, and supported.
The request was urgent and unusual - it's not often that a single individual suddenly needs to be transferred to a shelter that can support both an adult and child. Knowing that the individual’s current shelter couldn’t accommodate families, the team made a series of phone calls to family shelters in the region.
Then, a breakthrough: HomeAgain Richmond Shelter had space available.
What could have been a logistical hurdle turned into an example of flexibility and compassion. The shelter where the individual was currently staying offered full support: they understood the urgency and helped coordinate the transfer. There were no roadblocks, just a shared commitment to helping someone through a critical moment.
Jen Johnson is Homeward's Director of Continuum of Care Operations.
