| Amy - Amy and her small son were living with her parents while she was going to college. As her father's drinking and abusive behavior escalated she felt her son was no longer safe in that environment. Cheryl and Mary, her mentors, welcomed Amy and Josh, age 3, in to their FHF apartment and were thrilled to find out that Amy is excellent at budgeting and making ends meet. She has no debt, works as a childcare provider, and goes to college. Two years from now Amy will complete her degree in speech therapy.
Jenna - After a childhood of physical and emotional abuse, Jenna had little self confidence and very low self esteem. It took more than a year for Jenna to begin to open her heart to her mentors and to trust them. She is passionate about physical fitness and nutrition and completed her degree in education at North Central College. Jenna taught physical education for one year before being caught in the layoffs of 2010. She is using her many skills in her job search. Jenna and her 6 year old son live in a cozy apartment and treasure their time together building elaborate lego creations.
Maya and George – Maya and her husband,
George, met while serving in the U.S. Air Force. The couple
married and had three daughters before leaving the military.
Though they both worked and attended college, their financial
picture became desperate. After their car was repossessed
and they were evicted from their apartment, they were accepted
into FHF. Within 2 1/2 years, they had both completed their
degrees and paid off all their debts. They are now both working
full time and own their own condo. Maya and George are the
very first homeowners in either of their families!
Grace - Grace and her children enjoyed the life of an American middle
class family until one day her husband abandoned the family
and left the country. Grace lost her home and car, and she
had no way to provide housing for her infant and 8 year old
son. Her part-time income was inadequate to meet their basic
needs. She was welcomed into FHF and we were able to connect
her with Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, who provided
a full scholarship for her to earn her business degree. Grace
is currently holding a full time job while earning her master's
degree. Her son who is now 12 years old is learning to play
the guitar with lessons given by the son of a FHF mentor and
board member. They are doing well in their own apartment and
keep in close touch with their FHF mentors who have now become
their family!
Isabel – Isabel found the strength to
successfully battling her alcohol and drug abuse problem when
her 6 year old son told her, “Mommy, I’m afraid
you are going to die.” However, she still had no skills
that would allow her to support herself and son. Once Isabel
joined our FHF family, she began taking prerequisite classes
that would lead toward a nursing degree. She struggled with
the Anatomy and Physiology course, failing it twice before
finally borrowing a skeleton from her professor so that she
could learn the material “hands on”. There was
not a dry eye at the graduation ceremony when Isabel received
her nursing pin. Nobody had ever worked harder or overcome
bigger obstacles than Isabel. She is now the proud owner of
a condo and a dog – fulfilling both promises she made
to her son as they struggled through those lean times.
Kate - After overcoming years of substance
abuse, Kate joined FHF along with her young daughter. Her
other 3 daughters has been raised by foster families, a painful
reality that bothered Kate every single day. Having lived
on the streets as an addict, Kate felt she had a lot to offer
others who struggled with the same demons. She got a job in
a drug rehab facility and began taking classes to become a
Certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor (CADC). Kate
successfully completed all the classes and passed the certification
test. She is now working as a counselor and taking additional
classes that will put her at the next level and pay grade.
During her time with FHF, Kate repaid old debts which greatly
improved her credit rating. She now has relationship with
all her daughters, and is thrilled that one of them is doing
well in college.
Joan – Though Joan’s husband moved
the family from one state to another every year and had been
emotionally abusive throughout their marriage, she did not
find the courage to leave him until he threatened her life.
She escaped with her 7 year old and 3 year old twins and found
her way to Families Helping Families. She went to COD full
time and worked part time until she finished her certification
in x-ray technology and then got a job in a local hospital.
Shortly after, Joan purchased a three bedroom condo complete
with fireplace! She and her children are thrilled to be settled,
for good.
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