Home for Thanksgiving - formerly homeless family is settled in Shoreline apartment

Sharnai Lugo and Casey Deardoff with baby Cameron
have a home in time for Thanksgiving

When Sharnai Lugo and Casey Deardoff found themselves homeless and expecting their first child, they knew they needed to find a place where they could stay together as a family.

After arriving at Mary’s Place, a Seattle shelter helping families to reclaim their lives, Sharnai and Casey gave birth to their son, Cameron.

After a short stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, they were able to bring their new baby boy back to Mary’s Place.

The family worked diligently to overcome their barriers to housing, paying off previous debt and increasing their income.

Cameron, now 8 months old, is a happy and active baby, and the family recently moved into their new home in Shoreline.

Delta Dental staff are all smiles as they bring bedding, pantry food,
 Thanksgiving dinner, and clothes, toys, and a stroller for the baby

On Tuesday, Delta Dental of Washington helped the family move into an apartment at Vision House and prepare for the holidays – and surprised them with items to make their new Shoreline apartment a true home for the holidays.

Delta brought toys for Cameron - and Dad!

Delta Dental staff brought a new stroller, booster seat, toys, pillows and blankets, a Thanksgiving meal - and a dental kit - right to their doorstep.

The couple were very surprised and expressed their deep gratitude for the delivery, as well as the support Mary’s Place provided to help them reach this point.

Sharnai and Casey originally found Mary’s Place just two weeks before Sharnai delivered their son, Cameron.

Cameron and Sharnai

Sharnai said that if they had not had support from Mary’s Place and the opportunity to store their things during the day (particularly Cameron’s items), they may not have felt able to care for Cameron – and they might not be together as a family today.

Now they will receive support services from Vision House as they continue their path toward self-sufficiency as a family and raise a healthy, happy baby.

--Photos courtesy Delta Dental