Raelene's story

  A mother of three, Raelene Sawyer, decided one winter day it was time for a new start and leaving Kansas City, Missouri was the best decision.

Raelene was going through a hard time with her child’s father and soon packed up her belongings. She made the decision for her and her 14-year-old daughter, Angil Lewis, to board a Greyhound bus with no destination. 

“I just picked up and left and didn’t tell anyone. I was just ready to leave Kansas City,” Raelene said.

When the bus made its last stop in Houston, Texas, Raelene and Angil departed the bus with little money and nowhere to go. 

The homeless shelter and outside parks were where they would lay their heads at night. But Raelene had no idea that two more curve balls was going to be thrown her way.

While living in the homeless shelter, Angil voiced to her mother that she was pregnant. Raelene was in denial and dismissed Angil until Christmas Day.

Angil was provided with a pregnancy test and the results were positive. 

“Oh my gosh! That’ my baby girl!” Raelene screamed outside. “Oh Lord Jesus. Not my baby girl!” she continued.

Soon after, April 4, 2020, Raelene’s mother, Regina died. The passing of their mother/grandmother affected Raelene and Angil’s lives greatly.

Raelene was homeless with a pregnant teenage daughter and just lost her mother. And Angil was 14 years old and pregnant, homeless, and just lost her grandmother.

Raelene and Angil began calling 211 for information and different organizations to see how they could receive help and that is when the Teenage Incentive Program stepped in.

The TIP swooped in and began providing and supporting the family. The women from T.I.P. showed up to Raelene and Angil’s empty new apartment with gifts to help the family. 

“(TIP) helped me with me and Angil’s beds. Pots and pans, sheets, blankets.,” Raelene said.

TIP has provided baby beds, baby clothes, diapers, cooking utensils, and other supplies and furniture for the family. TIP’s staff calls the family daily to make sure the family is doing well and to check and see if they may need anything else.

Angil birthed her healthy baby girl, Royalty Regina Faith, June 2020. Since the birth, Angil has started school online due to COVID-19 and looks forward to her future of becoming a Nurse.

“I really want to help homeless people,” Angil said. “That was me one time on the street. I don’t want to see that.”.

Remembering what her mother Regina always told her, “If there is something you want to do in life, go for it and never give up,” and Raelene did just that.

Raelene is currently enrolled and studying to become a Medical Assistant. She is expected to graduate in 2021. 

“(TIP) helps us with a lot of stuff,” Raelene said. “I tell my daughter we are blessed because we wouldn’t have anything.”

“I am really thankful for everything (TIP) has done for me and Angil,” Raelene said.

The Teenage Incentive Program is happy to have Raelene, Angil, and Royalty Regina Faith apart of the program. 

By Karisa Norfleet

TIP Writer