By Barbara Lally
To visit with David and Ocean Gooze and their three children, Mariah (12), Aubrey (9) and Keegan (7), in their new home, it is hard to believe that just a few months ago they were rain-soaked and cold, living in Capitol State Forest and clinging to their hope for a better future.
Today, the Gooze family rents a cottage-like home that was bought and rehabilitated by the local non-profit Homes First! The home, which exudes warmth and love, is a fitting match for the family that has demonstrated unrelenting optimism, compassion and resilience throughout everything they’ve endured.
Not long ago, the Gooze family had been living in Lakewood where David was a model employee in a sheet metal company. Life was less than ideal though, as they were living in an apartment the couple describes as “worse than camping in the forest.”
David lost his job, but the family saw it as a catalyst for change in their lives. They decided to focus their efforts and resources on starting a business that could help others, a notion David and Ocean were familiar with. The couple, who has been together for 15 years, first met as teenagers working at a summer camp in Texas for children who were disabled.
Though David and Ocean poured everything they had into the business, it wasn’t bringing a return, and they lost their home. But this persistently hopeful family again saw it as an opportunity. When the day came that they had to leave, they were fully packed and ready to start a trip they had been dreaming of for years — a family bike trip to Washington’s coast. Hauling about 500 pounds of gear in trailers behind their bikes, the family headed for their ultimate destination, Ruby Beach.
They stayed at camp sites and motels along the way, but eventually it was time to return home. The only problem is that they didn’t have a home to return to. The Gooze family ended up pitching a tent in the Capitol State Forest, which served as their temporary shelter while David continued to work on his business.
Despite having no home, the family was grateful for all the kind people they met. “We encountered so many good people on this journey,” says Ocean. “Angels would often show up with a blessing.
During the six weeks the Gooze family spent living in the forest, David would bike to the library to work on his business and search for a shelter for his family. The last two weeks in the forest it rained and poured, and their tent, clothes and bedding were all wet. It was cold and everyone got sick.
Despite the circumstances, David continued to search for a safe place for his family and connected with “Out of the Woods,” a small shelter that provides sustainable housing for families with children for up to 90 days.
David gratefully describes shelter living as “warm, dry and clean.” But the Gooze’s had concerns for their family.
“I was terrified,” says Ocean. “I wondered if we would be able to make our own decisions for our family. We needed to ask for help, but did not know what to expect.”
All of Ocean’s fears were extinguished when she met Brett Rader, the shelter manager for Out of the Woods.
“He is an amazing human being,” says Ocean, “From the beginning, he was respectful and compassionate. It was huge to feel that respect.”
“Every week we would sit down with Brett and discuss our goals and progress,” adds David. “He always had suggestions and advice and many resources to refer us to.”
One of those resources was Homes First!, an organization that for more than 25 years has owned and managed affordable rental homes in Thurston County. At the time, Homes First! was rehabilitating a home, putting in new floors, painting, landscaping and more.
The home’s bright neighborhood was perfect for the cheery family.
“We loved it from the first moment we walked in,” says David. “Everyone worked together to make it happen, it felt like a group effort.”
Today, the Gooze family is all smiles in their home. Mom homeschools the children during the day before welcoming dad home after a long day at work at a job he enjoys. The home also provides him the office space he needs to continue working on launching his own business.
This happy family will share their experience at the Homes First! 2nd Annual Homes Matter Breakfast on Wednesday, September 16, which celebrates the more than 25 years Homes First! has provided affordable rental housing in Thurston County. The special guest speaker at the event will be Washington State’s First Lady, Trudi Inslee, an enthusiastic advocate for affordable housing.
“This home was the place for us and we knew we could do good things here,” says David.
Those good things have certainly begun for this family now that they have a great home. It is evident by the joy in their smiles and the plans they have for a bright future.
