I am a first-generation daughter born to an immigrant family and spent my childhood moving, raised by different relatives and caretakers. Constantly relocating between the United States and overseas, I never stayed in one school for long, making it difficult to fit in and leaving me vulnerable.
I endured neglect, molestation, and abuse, which led me to rebel and run away. I was left to cope alone and turned to substances and other destructive behaviors.
I became a single mother and had to move frequently; I worked numerous jobs to survive. When I became homeless, I felt isolated without any resources.
I made the decision to move into a domestic violence shelter and be separated from my own son. But the shelter was not a safe haven—it was overcrowded and unsafe. I was moved to a transitional housing program, where I lived with a roommate while working multiple jobs and striving to reunite with my son. Just as I was ready to move into more permanent housing with my son, I had a stroke.
I wasn’t able to talk or move on my own for several months. I was shuffled between hospitals and nursing homes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was finally able to reconnect with family, who helped me find treatment and other resources in Chicago, which led me to Sarah’s Circle.
In 2024, I went to Sarah’s Circle’s Daytime Support Center where I accessed critical services, including meals, clothing, a private locker, and a safe space to rest and recover during the day. Sarah’s Circle staff worked closely with me to navigate the paperwork needed to secure permanent housing, healthcare, transportation, and legal aid. At Sarah’s Circle, I felt like I wasn’t just another client; I was treated with dignity, compassion, and care.
Today, I am living in permanent supportive housing at Sarah’s on Lakeside. After years of uncertainty, I finally have a stable home to focus on healing, reconnecting with my son, and planning for the future.
