“I cannot express enough my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Place of Hope. The impact it has had on so many lives, especially mine, is truly profound.
For a while, my childhood was good, but everything changed when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I was six. We spent four long years in and out of hospitals, and after she passed away, my life took a downward turn. I moved in with my sister, but after some struggles, I found myself on my own. I spent my senior year with my dad, but our relationship was strained. On graduation day, it was only my sister who showed up to support and congratulate me. It was that moment I realized I felt lost and was without hope.
I met a man, my daughter’s father, who at first brought me a glimmer of hope. I moved in with him, but things took a hostile turn for the worse. I found myself trapped in a cycle of violence and instability, which eventually led me to flee with my daughter. Over the next five years, we faced tremendous challenges, living in my car, bouncing between friends, and relying on strangers for shelter. In 2021, we were living in a trailer with seven other people when my car broke down. This was my breaking point. Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, I dropped to my knees and prayed for a way out.
The very next day, my boss told me about a program designed to help young moms in crisis and aged out foster kids, Villages of Hope. Since moving to Villages of Hope, my life has completely transformed. For the first time in years, I have hope and stability. Their independent living program has helped me learn financial responsibility, and with affordable program fees, I have been able to pay off over $9,000 in debt! I am back in school, something I once thought was possible. Thanks to Place of Hope’s Dan Baker and Gladys Taggart Fund, I have received childcare support to further help keep my education on track.
“Being here, I am no longer living in survival mode. I feel stable for the first time since my mother’s passing. My daughter is now healthy and safe. I have also been able to heal from my trauma through the high-quality therapy provided at Villages of Hope, and I’ve restored my relationship with my dad. I have learned to forgive and understand that God has a plan for me and my daughter. Without Place of Hope and Villages of Hope, I would not be where I am today. I’ve discovered my purpose in education and found a family that believes in me and pushes me to strive for better. Here, I found hope.”