Three years ago, Jessica packed her kids’ things and made her way to the homeless shelter, taking the brave step to leave her husband. He was a meth user, abused her, frequently cheated on her, and destroyed everything they had. When he left her stranded at the hospital after she had delivered their third baby, that was rock bottom.
Boosted by Support
At that breaking point, a friend introduced Jessica to Live & Learn. Her Client Coordinator encouraged her and helped her work on goals for schooling and employment. She helped Jessica renew her Certified Nursing Assistant license and gave her gift cards to get things she and her children needed. Having that support, a person saying, ‘you can do this,’ was the boost Jessica needed. She returned to her hometown of Homer, Alaska with her three children, three suitcases, and a whole lot of courage.
Growth & Change
Now, Jessica works as a case manager for men’s recovery and is happily pregnant with her 4th child, this time with her new kind and supportive husband, Stu, who she met at work. Jessica only has 3 courses left until she graduates with her bachelor’s degree in Counseling Addiction and begins her Master’s. She has found her heart’s work in addiction recovery.
When asked how she’s changed over these past few years, Jessica said:
“I’m not that weak and depressed person anymore. I truly believe women should be empowered to do better and have opportunities. Having to be a single mom in the couple years before I met Stu was super-empowering. If I can do that, I can do anything. I think single moms are superheroes.”
For Jessica, the most significant impact Live & Learn had was through the encouragement and guidance that helped her pursue her education. This allowed her to secure a higher income job and opened up more opportunities. Experiencing solidarity with other women who had gone through similar experiences and overcome them also helped.
Most of all, Live & Learn gave her hope and the courage to change her life.
