Sidequa’s hope story: “You would never think that it can happen to you.”

The most difficult time of Sidequa’s life became the beginning of something she hadn’t expected — stillness, patience and a renewal of her faith.

Sidequa’s childhood in the Bronx was marked by trauma. She suffered tremendous abuse. Her mother struggled with drug addiction. Sidequa reflects, “How I got through that pain was I buried myself into school — school was my safe place.” She excelled academically, graduating at the top of her high school class a year early. Her determination carried into adulthood. Sidequa served eight years in the Air Force Reserves, earned three bachelor’s degrees and rose from front desk agent to hotel general manager in just three years.

Suddenly homeless

But in 2025, everything changed. After building her hospitality career in Atlanta, Sidequa came back to New York City for a hotel assignment. She became ill from black mold exposure at the hotel, which was later shut down by the health department. While trying to secure temporary housing, she became the victim of a rental scam and was suddenly locked out — losing her clothes, belongings and sense of stability.

As her savings disappeared on short-term stays, Sidequa found herself with nowhere to go. She says, “You would never think that it can happen to you.” She sought assistance from the Veterans Affairs office, who referred her to The Bowery Mission.

Needed comfort

Sidequa arrived at our emergency shelter feeling tense. But her tension eased as she was greeted by staff with warmth, welcome and support. Sidequa later joined our Residential Program. She bonded with fellow clients and now sees them as family.

Reflecting on how the Mission helped her, Sidequa explains, “I was stressed and in panic mode because of my situation. With the comfort I received here, I had the burden and weight lifted off my shoulders.” The Mission also helped Sidequa to slow down. She says “They taught me so much about patience and to stop putting so much on me. They helped me set my pace and my goals.” In this place of safety and encouragement, Sidequa was able to rebuild her life and renew her faith.

“Even though I wasn’t home, it was feeling like a home here.” — Sidequa

A bright future

Today, Sidequa is stepping into an exciting new chapter. She has accepted a two-year position as Regional Manager of Operations with a major hotel.

And she has bigger dreams still ahead, including owning her own hotel someday and reaching out to help others the way she has been helped. “I’m going to be giving people second chances,” she says. “Those will be the ones I’ll be looking at employing.”