Two years ago I was, for lack of a better word...lost. I was homeless, single, hopeless and pregnant. My life had not gone in any direction that I had envisioned it would as a little girl. A series of one bad decision after another had landed me in a lot of trouble with no way out. Now, as if my being penniless and homeless wasn't enough, I was now going to be responsible for another life on top of my own. I couldn't even take care of myself, how was I going to take care of a child? I was in a desperate situation and when I was about to give up and throw in the towel, I found Casa Teresa. My case manager and all the staff at Casa Teresa, picked me up, dusted me off and planted my feet firmly back on the ground. They saw in me potential. Potential not only to be a good mother to my unborn son, but potential as a human being. When I couldn't see any value within my own life, they turned me around and made me face it head on. Honestly, they truly saved my life, my son's life, and put me onto my current path. They gave me the strength and the courage to hit the ground running and pursue the dreams I had once lost. Since coming to Casa Teresa I am on the verge of earning my associates degree in psychology, and this is just the beginning. I want to earn a bachelor’s degree in Psychology as well before, hopefully, pursuing a degree in law, with emphasis on family and criminal law. My reasons for wanting to accomplish this are many and varied. First, I need to break the cycle of failure for the sake of my son. I want him to not fall into the life his father and I had wrongly chosen, but to rise above it and fulfill his unlimited potential. I need to lay down my footprints so that he can clearly see them and follow. Second, since coming to Casa Teresa and living within this sector of the population, I have a need to be able to give back. I want to be an inspiration to other women like me, who are lost and hopeless. At the age of 36 it is hard to imagine that you still have the time and resources available to turn your life around. I want to be that living proof that the only time it is too late, is when you're dead. Specifically, I want to work within an organization, be it Casa Teresa or another organization similar, to be able to provide the light in the dark that the people at Casa Teresa gave me. I've realized that women like me, in similar situations, aren't only dealing with emotional issues stemming from a wide variety of sources and reasons, but they also commonly have legal issues they are dealing with as well. Specifically, issues either dealing with criminal cases/records, and custody issues etc. of either children currently within their custody or otherwise. This is the reason I feel it would be a good idea to not only obtain a degree in Psychology, but one in Law as well to be able to fully help women who desire to seek it. The journey continues: I have finished my Associates Degree in Psychology, made the Dean's list and graduated Irvine Valley College. I am currently studying for my LSATs and waiting to start Cal STATE Fullerton in the Fall. I now realize that I came to Casa Teresa as a broken girl, despite being 34 years old, but I can definitely say that I left there a strong, confidant and independent woman. I know that with the tools I gained from the program and staff there that I will succeed in any goals I wish to pursue and will be a great mother to my son. I look forward to a very bright and happy future.
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