Shique Lillie Finds a Family through the Financial Opportunity Center

Shique Lillie – Graduate of the Amos House Building Trades Program
Amos House, Providence, Rhode Island

Shique Lillie was disappointed when her class in the Building Trades Program at Amos House came to an end. The program introduced her to tools and equipment, safety measures and construction basics. During the 16-weeks, she received certifications in OSHA-10, Lead Renovator/Remodeler, CPR/First Aid and Digital Literacy. For the final project, the class worked together to build an outdoor stage at the Mixed Magic Theatre, a theater arts organization based in Pawtucket.

“I can look at that and see something that I did – I helped build that from the ground up with my own hands,” said Lillie. “I can see where I made a contribution to the community.”

Shique sits on the outdoor stage she built for the Mixed Magic Theatre in Pawtucket.

At 30, Lillie is finally beginning to feel optimistic about her future – and that of her children – largely due to the extended family she’s found at Amos House. Her childhood was spent in a chaotic home with a mother who was an alcoholic and struggled with substance abuse. When Shique was removed from her parents’ home, her life became even more disjointed as she traveled through a series of group homes, slept on couches at the homes of friends, and experienced homelessness for more than two years.

“I kept going and eventually got the help,” she said. “I got past my own issues – that period of my life helped me put a lot in perspective and let me understand where I needed to change things. I am especially grateful to one of the women at Amos House who helped me get it together.”

As a mother of two boys, ages 5 and 2, Lillie has struggled to keep her young family together. Both sons have been removed from her care over the past several years. Lillie was familiar with Amos House and had used its service for people experiencing homelessness, but when she lost custody of her oldest son, she took the next step and started as a student in the building trades program.

“I needed to get out of my head. I’ve always wanted to build. I’m good at taking things apart and putting them together. It’s like art to me. I may not be good at painting or drawing, but to put a building together is beautiful. I want to leave my kids a legacy that I’ve built with my own hands from the ground up,” she said. “I want to learn a bit of everything so I can leave a legacy for my boys.”

After completing the program, she was able to find a section 8 apartment and a full-time job, and she was finally able to take a deep breath.

“I recently got back custody of my youngest son,” said Lillie. “The judge said she can see that I’ve done a ‘360 in what’s going on now’ and that’s what has helped get my son back. I need to prove to myself, and everyone else, that I’m worthy, and the people at Amos House want me to succeed.”

Shique started the training program before the pandemic and returned to finish up the course this summer. While there, she worked with financial coaches and even participated in the LISC Twin Accounts program that helps build both savings and credit scores. Since graduation, Lillie has gone on to work on her high school diploma and has been hired on at Amos House as part of the landscaping crew during the summer months and building maintenance crew during the winter months.

“I wasn’t used to things working out for me, but Amos House helped me see where I could make changes,” she said. “I needed to relearn gratitude and be more mindful about the things going on. Part of me really wanted to give up, but being around Amos House has helped me feel like I want to keep trying. I have to remind myself that I’ve come a long way and I’m stronger than I think.

“To see all the good they do, made me want to be part of that good. It’s to make them proud, but also to make me proud,” said Lillie. “Amos House has given me the family that I’ve always wanted and never
had.”

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