A Struggle for Safety
When Kiva Stevens found herself in a shelter, struggling to provide a safe space for her nine children, she felt as if every door was closing. Her youngest child, Jada, had been through more than most—diagnosed with retinal blastoma at nine months old, Jada lost one eye to cancer. For Kiva, the shelter where they lived wasn’t just uncomfortable; it was dangerous.
“The place was mice-infested, and I was afraid that the mice were getting in and biting him. I really needed an agency like Open Hands to be in my life.”
Kiva had reached out to many resources, but nothing seemed to work. Each social worker felt like just another person doing a job, not someone truly invested in her struggle. But everything changed when she met Open Hands Legal Services.
Finding Hope in a Time of Need
Kiva first met Open Hands at their mobile Legal Aid Desk in East Harlem, where they serve alongside The Relief Bus. There, she was introduced to Hanna Kim, one of Open Hands’ attorneys, who took the time to listen and truly understand her situation.
“Hanna is a person that looked like she wanted to help somebody. She spoke with me with hope in her. And I really needed somebody like that in my corner.”
Hanna and the team at Open Hands recognized that Kiva’s current shelter wasn’t suitable for Jada’s fragile health. They knew that she needed a place with access to her own bathroom and kitchen—a clean and stable environment where she could start to rebuild.
A Place to Call Home
Within a month, Open Hands helped Kiva move out of the unsanitary shelter and into a place where her family could breathe easier. The impact of this move went beyond just a roof over their heads. With stable housing, Kiva’s daughters, who had been in foster care, were finally able to come back home.
“Not only did I get them back—now I can work on getting my other kids back. I have a spot where I can think, I can live, I can feel like I’m human.”
For Kiva, the shift from despair to hope was almost unimaginable. It wasn’t just about finding a new place to live; it was about finding a new sense of possibility for herself and her children. With a safe home and a supportive community, she felt like she could finally begin to heal.
A New Chapter, Filled with Hope
Kiva’s journey is a testament to what happens when someone takes the time to listen, to care, and to act. With Open Hands Legal Services’ help, she not only found a stable home but also a community that stood with her through her darkest days. Jada is thriving after six cycles of chemotherapy, and Kiva feels a renewed sense of hope for their future.
“Open Hands means opportunity. It means hope. It means... love! I’m so grateful and thankful, because I would’ve lost my mind in that spot.”
Kiva’s story shows how the support of donors and volunteers transforms lives, providing families with the chance to build a brighter tomorrow. Thanks to this community, Open Hands was able to stand with Kiva and her family when they needed it most—offering not just legal aid, but a lifeline.
Your support makes stories like Kiva’s possible. Thank you for being the hands and heart that make justice a reality for families across New York City.