Erika found New Ground while staying in a local homeless family shelter with her two young sons. She had been homeless on and off since when she was a teenager. Her mother struggled with depression and when she could no longer care for her, Erika was placed in foster care as a child. She grew up in many different foster homes, never feeling she had found a safe place to call home. She was very disappointed in herself for creating a situation where her own children were without a home. Following their births she had begun to struggle with her own symptoms of depression, which prevented her from attending school and working steadily.
Following her acceptance into New Ground, Erika’s first steps were to obtain regular treatment for her depression and complete a higher education program to obtain better paying employment. She had been reliant on public assistance for rent, food and health insurance.
Over her time with us she first completed a Medical Assistant program and secured fulltime work in this field, and then went back to school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse increasing her income further. She could now afford the needs of her family on her own, and paid off debts she had accumulated while homeless. She believes none of this would have been possible without the assistance of New Ground.
“I really feel blessed and honored to have been picked for the program. I’m so grateful to New Ground and I never thought that anything like this would ever happen to me. From the bottom of my heart I want everyone to know that I’m truly grateful.”
Erika’s hard work and motivation allowed her to accomplish her many goals in the program, eventually securing an apartment in a good school district. She is forever grateful to have been able to provide a safe and stable home for her children.