Tempe, AZ - Makayla Powell’s story is not unlike so many others: She was supporting her family as a driver and then the pay was cut. She lost her apartment and her car, stretched her dollars at a motel for a while and, without any family support, became homeless. She and her 10-month-old daughter Zoie had nowhere else to go but a park.

And that’s where her life took an even more unexpected turn. City of Tempe Park Rangers discovered the family and set in motion the full force of city resources that moved her from homeless to housed.

From transitional shelter to a jobs program, Tempe wrapped its arms around Makayla as she rebuilt her life. Now in her own apartment, she’s working two jobs, is active in her church and enjoying motherhood.

What’s ahead? “A normal life,” Makayla said.  

World upside-down

Makayla, 33, said growing up wasn’t easy, with an absentee father and abusive mother. She recalls raising herself and reaching milestones like getting a college degree and becoming a mother to Zoie on her own.

“Having her was a really big blessing. It was a life-changing experience,” Makayla said of Zoie.

Her little girl brought “clarity, strength and purpose to life,” she said.

Makayla supported her family as a delivery driver until the pay dropped dramatically in 2024. At first, she let her car go to make the rent. But eventually she and Zoie were evicted and living temporarily in a motel.  

When money ran out, they moved to a park, first in a neighboring city and then Tempe. “From day one, it was scary,” she said.

Days stretched into weeks, weeks into months. Job hunting was difficult. While Makayla figured out how to bath baby Zoie every day, keeping herself presentable for interviews was hard.

Life-changing help

Finally, Makayla and Zoie caught a break. They had been homeless from June 12 through Nov. 18 when Tempe’s Park Rangers discovered mother and daughter sleeping at Kiwanis Park. The Rangers connected them with the city’s HOPE team, a 13-member team of outreach specialists working daily to connect unsheltered people with resources like shelter, housing, mental health care and more.

That same day, the HOPE team moved the family into the city’s Sue’s Espacio shelter, a hotel-turned-safe haven for individuals, families and pets experiencing homelessness. There, residents work with staff to access resources like housing vouchers, veterans’ benefits or longer-term shelter to address complex needs. They may reconnect with family, agree to substance abuse treatment or reestablish contact with a mental health provider. Each resident is planning for the future.

Makayla set her sights on working and housing. She was referred to the city’s Tempe Works jobs program, which connects unsheltered people with city jobs and other employment opportunities.

She began working in the city’s Solid Waste division doing tasks like putting together residential trash cans. She also began assisting another department with clerical work. City staff assisted her with weekly bus passes and attire for work. Makayla was grateful.

“I didn’t need a lot of money, but I needed money right then,” she said.

Safe, stable and employed, Makayla took another life-changing step. The HOPE team helped her transition to a shelter at UMOM New Day Centers, which specializes in helping families. In addition to providing shelter at Sue’s Espacio, the city regularly works with UMOM and other shelters to find the best fit for people experiencing homelessness.

With support from UMOM, Makayla found an apartment in Phoenix through a rapid rehousing program that provides temporary rental assistance and supportive services.

Makayla graduated from Tempe Works, representing the first family to graduate from the program. “It was such a blessing for me,” she said.

Looking to the future

Makayla’s journey with Tempe included attending a job fair hosted by the city and its workforce development partner. A conversation with Tempe Elementary School District about job openings reignited an interest in teaching. Today, she supports her family as a substitute teacher and delivery driver. Eventually, she hopes to find teaching opportunities at her church as well.

“Makayla’s determination to rebuild and create a future for her family is so admirable,” said Tim Burch, Community Health and Human Services director. “Every day, we are working to lift up people in need and provide support that can truly change lives. Makayla’s success story is just one of many in Tempe.”

During a recent outing to a Tempe park, Zoie – now two years old – is happy exploring and watching dogs running nearby. She scrambles into a pink car on the playground, grinning as she pretends to drive. Makayla credits Zoie for keeping her strong and on the right track.

She is also thankful for Tempe’s support.

“I feel like God used the City of Tempe to deliver me from being homeless when no one else would help me,” Makayla said. “It’s an honorable thing to help those in need. Jesus said, ‘Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me’.”