Ever since I can remember, I had nowhere to call home.
My mom was a drug addict and my dad was in jail.
I ended up in foster care until my aunt and uncle took me in when I was 4 years old.
Living in that home I was sexually and physically abused.
Eventually I found refuge with my grandparents, but that didn’t last long.
Before I was even a teenager I was sexually abused by my uncle.
By the time I reached high school my life started to fall apart. I began partying, doing drugs and having sex. I dropped out of high school multiple times. All my partying lead to 2 DUIs. Shortly after I found out I was pregnant and couldn’t stop using drugs. I was lost and didn’t know what to do. At this point a lot of people told me to have an abortion because I just couldn’t stop the lifestyle I was in! I began looking for help and found Mama’s House.
I was hesitant and didn’t know what to expect. Being accustomed to doing life on my own, I didn’t want to adjust to life at Mama’s House, and didn’t feel like I was ready to have rules and have to follow structure. But I decided I would give Mama’s House a chance for my baby. Looking back, I can say that being there has been an answer to my prayers.
The first stop was Hope Center and when I walked in they made me feel that I was loved and that God had a plan for me. The program was explained in detail which helped me know what to expect. I felt at ease here and felt that I had finally found a place where I could find rest and feel safe.
When I went to the House I was welcomed by the House staff and the residents who also made me feel loved and like I was home. They then showed me to my room, which they had prepared for me. It was something that I never had. Everyone was ready to help, support, encourage and keep me accountable on my pathway to success.
I was able to finish high school and work on my recovery where I met my amazing sponsor who was there for me when I felt weak. I was also able to attend California Nurses Educational Institute and get my license to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Twice a week I was able to meet with licensed therapists which helped me make wiser decisions and learn to cope with everyday struggles. I also participated in art therapy weekly. For the first time in my life, I felt like my voice was heard.
Being a first time mom was scary, but that fear was put at ease when I started my parenting classes. The amazing volunteer facilitators walked me through parenting stages and reassured me that everything was going to be ok.
Before coming into Mama’s House I felt discouraged about ever finishing high school and if it wasn’t for my dedicated tutors, that came on a weekly basis, I would not have been able to finish high school. They encouraged me to achieve my goals, get my diploma, and continue my education. They never gave up on me!
Mama’s House not only cared about my success in life but also my spiritual walk, as growing up I attended church but never had a relationship with God. I didn’t fully understand until I met my mentor who journeyed with me and taught me more about God’s Love. Now, I don't only know about God but I have a personal relationship with Him.
I have been able to accomplish all this and more at Mama’s House. Thanks to the amazing volunteers that not only helped babysit my baby so I could attend classes and therapy, but also took the time to drive me to appointments, teach me new job and life skills like cooking, caring for a home, and how to be a good person and great mother. Now I feel equipped and ready to raise my baby so she can have a better life and prayerfully never have to experience some of the things that I’ve had to go through.
I have been able to move out into my own apartment and have been balancing working and taking care of Sadie. It feels great to be able to be independent, even though it is a challenge that I ask God daily to help me with.
