My life as a child was very difficult and abusive in every way. I grew up with issues feeling unloved, unwanted and ran away at age 15 with an older man who introduced me to drugs. Trying to have a life with him and 3 children was something I wasn’t equipped for. I was on drugs off and on and was arrested at age 24. I plead guilty to charges I didn’t actually commit, but at that time it sounded better than going to trial and possibly losing because I was facing a life sentence. I ended up in prison and after 10 and a half years of being inside, I knew my life had to get better. I realized I was the one in control of my life. I began by finishing High School and picking up the trade of welding while I was incarcerated. Once I was released I began working as a welder but soon again met a man and became pregnant. I was renting a room at the time. I felt so alone and heartbroken because I couldn’t provide a home for my baby. Up until that point I felt good about the positive choices I had been making since I left prison. I was not sure what was going to happen to me and my baby. I found Casa Teresa online and thankfully they accepted me right away. When I first came I was nervous and a bit uncertain about how things would work out for me there. I told myself after doing 10 and a half years in prison, I could do anything. Right away I could tell the house moms, staff and case managers were very kind, welcoming and accepting. Most importantly, they didn’t judge my background. The classes and groups that I was required to attend really helped me to deal with some of the issues that I had never acknowledged before. Some classes addressed self-esteem, self worth and confidence, which were instrumental in making me realize that I deserved to be happy. They also try to help us with budgeting our income in order to better prepare for the future. During one class, a banker came to explain about credit reporting, fraud, and how to establish good credit. For myself these classes gave me the knowledge it took to be proactive in repairing my credit. Today I have a credit score I am proud of. One class in particular had Santa Ana college staff come share information on courses and I began looking into college classes (initially for welding certification) and decided to enroll in Santa Ana College the next semester. Shortly after that my case manager informed me I would be a great candidate for the Salvation Army Transitional housing program. I could actually bring my other children, for this was my own apartment. Casa Teresa helped me with furniture including a refrigerator, washer and dryer, rocking chair and coaches. They truly treated me as family and continued to show that they wanted to see me succeed. I continued to save up money for future and continued to attend college. I was able to leave SA transitional housing apartment after one year and have been living on my own since then. I learned a lot about healthy relationships and what that looks like. Bad relationships can be just as destructive as drugs or other vices. I was in a destructive relationship when I came to Casa Teresa, but working through it with Dr. Pugh and my case manager, I was able to stand back and see what it was doing to me. I came to realize I do not have to compromise myself for anyone and I deserve to be in a healthy relationship, and Luis deserves to have a happy mother. I was also able to reconnect with my children. This was not easy, but with Casa Teresa’s help it became a reality. After leaving Casa Teresa I realized it is very difficult for someone like myself with a violent criminal background to rent an apartment. This is when I recalled Dr. Pugh during groups asking us to picture what our house would look like if we could own one. To some, that was an unrealistic thought, but casa has shown me that anything is possible. I found a free homebuyer seminar which I attended and although I’m not ready at this point yet due to a set back with my carpal tunnel injury. It’s definitely something I see happening in the near future for myself. It is because of Casa Teresa I feel more prepared about the decisions I need to make to continue establishing a secure future for me and my son Luis. After seeing some of the more successful moms there who have achieved a degree, I am now also finishing up my General Ed classes so I can focus the next few semesters on a specific major and obtain my AS degree. Perhaps it won’t be welding, due to problems with carpal tunnel, but it will be something I can focus on for a future career. My life now is much more aligned with a set plan and goals that are achievable. Thanks to Casa Teresa and Dr. Pugh I have a vision of a house with a large porch, a tire swing on a large tree and a secure future. They have given me more hope and direction and the guidance to take the steps needed to continue a secure and healthy life. I will forever be grateful to Casa Teresa for their love and support.
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