MOMS STORIES

CINDY
My name is Cindy and I was born in San Francisco twenty five years ago. My mom left when I was three and my dad raised my sister and me in Marin County.  I was running away from home by the time I was twelve and spent most of my teen years in juvenile hall.   At fourteen, I became a ward of the court.  I was sent to a group home for six months then went home to live with my father.  Things didn’t improve and I was sent to a foster home. I ran away from the foster home to live with a boyfriend.  When he became abusive I turned myself in to juvenile hall to get away from him.  I was sent to a group home in Sonoma and then back to Marin to live in a shelter for homeless kids.  I was there when I met my daughter’s father.  I moved in with him when I was sixteen.  When he became abusive the only place I felt safe was in school.  At seventeen, I was placed in a foster home and stayed for the next two years.  I had a job, did work-study and finished high school.

I moved back in with my daughter’s father before she was born but the abuse continued. After she was born, I began to worry that he would hurt my daughter.  I finally called the police and turned him in the day he hurt me while I was holding our daughter.  He had destroyed my belongings and ruined my car.  That was the day I decided to change my life.  I testified against him and he was sent to jail, leaving my daughter and me homeless.

With the help of my advocate, my daughter and I moved into Gilead House.  I met wonderful people who genuinely cared for me and my daughter. I took parenting classes that really helped me. Finally I was able to let go of all the chaos in my life that was holding me back from reaching my goals. The wall I had created around myself came down, and I was able to enjoy being around good people. I learned so much while being there, most of all I learned to love me again.  My housing number came up and I moved into an apartment.  Everyone at Gilead House helped us move and furnish the place. My daughter and I finally had a place to call home.

Once we were settled my Gilead House mentor helped me to enroll in College Of Marin.  I had never thought I would be able to go to college but she convinced me that all I had to do was try.   I chose a certificate program that will allow me to work with people because that is what I enjoy most of all.    The certificate will make it possible for me to always find a good job and be able to take care of my daughter.  My dream is to find a good job and then study nursing when my daughter starts school.  I am just about finished with my first semester and am looking forward to the next one. I have a part time office job now and have gotten very good reviews and several raises.    I love my job and the company is a friendly, positive place to work, but it is very hard to make ends meet on my part time salary.  I live 25 miles from my work and the recent gas prices took more than every penny I made.  I am hoping to save enough money to move close to work and school.  Working, going to school and being a single parent is pretty tough, but I know I am moving my family in the right direction.  I am working hard and hoping that I will be able to afford to finish my certificate program.

I have had to face many obstacles in my life but those things made me who I am today.  I’m confident that I can reach any goal I set.  My daughter is 3 now and is bright and happy.  I am determined to give her a better life.