Samantha shares her story with a mix of resilience, trauma, and hope. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, she has been in Colorado for about three months, moving between Denver and Fort Collins. She recently secured a shelter bed for 30 days, giving her temporary stability after a long stretch of uncertainty. Samantha came to Denver partly to support her boyfriend, a street musician, and partly to reconnect with her brother, whom she hasn’t seen in years and who just had a baby.
Despite everything, Samantha clings to what helps her endure. Singing has been her outlet since childhood—sometimes in private, sometimes in open mics—and she’s relearning guitar to strengthen herself. Weed helps with seizures and anxiety, and music brings moments of calm. Looking forward, she envisions creating a nonprofit for survivors of domestic violence and finding long-term stability, perhaps through opportunities now opening with her current housing support.
