Success Stories
Graduates of our program

Sandy – Though Sandy’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, Sandy purchased a three bedroom condo complete with fireplace and granite countertops! She and her children are thrilled to be settled, for good.

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.

Olga– When Olga, who is fluent in Russian and English, moved from Russia to the Chicago area, she felt confident that she could find a job that would support herself and 2 small sons. It was much harder than she thought and she eventually placed her children in an orphanage. Once Olga found FHF, she and the boys were reunited and she started a translating business. She has now purchased a condo and is living the American Dream.

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.