From Surviving to Thriving - a Success Story from Mother's Refuge
Rachel came to Mother’s Refuge in the Spring when she was 17 years old and pregnant with a baby girl, due in July. She was shocked and angry as she had been placed in foster care the very day she moved to Mother’s Refuge due to lack of parental supervision and neglect. At one point in Rachel’s life she was kicked out of her home and spent a couple of nights sleeping in a park. She did not consistently go to school, she was addicted to drugs, and at times had sold drugs to earn money. She was doing what she could to survive.
From day one of her being in our program she worked hard to change her life. Rachel was able to obtain her GED, secure a job, save money, and buy a vehicle. The following January after her admission, she started community college full-time. Her major is undecided, but she is interested in being a Paralegal or a Social Worker.
Rachel participated in more than 600 classes and activities through our Launch to Independence program covering topics on Pregnancy and Parenting, Health and Nutrition, Financial Literacy and Career Building, Self-Esteem and Healthy Relationships, and Community Engagement. She has also completed our Educational Step Program regarding Pregnancy and Parenting with 310 curriculum components regarding topics such as Developmental Stages of Babies, What to Expect Each Trimester, First Air for Infants, and the Importance of Bonding. Rachel believes the most beneficial step she completed was a relationship class about learning how to control her anger and develop trust with others.
Rachel is successfully parenting her baby girl and has learned the skills she needs to be a loving mom to her child. She expressed that she does not know where she would be without Mother’s Refuge. She considers this her home and the staff and volunteers her family. She said she will be forever grateful for those who gave their time and hard-earned money to help her make a better life for her and her daughter. Rachel was released from state-custody, she married her baby’s father, and they moved into their own home together. Rachel went from surviving to thriving, and has a bright future ahead of her
*(Rachel is not represented in our photo, but the photo is of three different actual residents who each have their own success stories similar to Rachel's. The photo showcases their growing and thriving families. All residents are enrolled into our Aftercare Program i.e. our "forever family" and community of overcomers!)
