Our Sisters

After completing that program, she went to live at the YWCA. Unfortunately, she relapsed and was discharged from the YWCA because of it. Maria was devastated, ashamed and terrified that her belief in her own constant failure would always prove true. To make matters worse, not only was she back on drugs, she was about to be homeless as well.

Maria is the mother of four boys, ages 15, 14, 10 and 7.  Her boys were all in foster care while she was at Liberty Manor and the YWCA. Taking care of her children and making a real home for them were significant motivators for Maria. Her case manager helped her enter St. Paul House (the site of a supportive housing program for families in recovery) where she lived for 12 months.  After three months at St. Paul House, she was reunited with her two youngest boys who came there to live with her.

While at St. Paul House, Maria went to work for Healthy Sisters' Soup and Bean Works, an innovative work experience program of Catholic Family Center for women in recovery or moving from welfare to work. According to Carol, her Healthy Sisters supervisor, Maria started out as a "pretty good employee." However, she had a tendency to  sit back and wait to see what needed to be done. "I was nervous," says Maria.  "I had never worked and did not see myself as a good employee in the beginning."

After completing her program at St. Paul House, she got an apartment - this was the first time all four of her sons spent the night together in a home Maria made happen. Today, in addition to achieving the independence of her own apartment, Maria has been accepted into VESID with a goal of working in the computer field.  She continues to work with Healthy Sisters while she is waiting to complete the VESID assessment.  She is very excited about the opportunity to earn enough to support her own family.

Maria has had many transitions since beginning her recovery at Liberty Manor.  She says Healthy Sisters gave her stability.  It has provided consistency for her during times of change such as  the move from St. Paul House to an apartment.  The money from her stipend checks also helps.

Maria wants to show her boys that she can do something.  When the agency was holding "Bring Your Child to Work Day", she suggested that Healthy Sisters' employees bring their children too.  She wants her boys to be proud of her, and also to know about working and the value of supporting yourself. She always brings her boys with her to pick up her checks.

"Maria has a good sense of humor and a wonderful smile," says Carol. " I never have to worry about her.  She is accountable and always the first to say 'I'll help'.  Her cheerfulness and positive attitude communicate to the other employees a 'let's get this work done attitude'. She is now a true team leader.  She gets upset when things are not completed or left a mess.  Maria has high expectations of herself and others.  She reaches out to new people and takes on the responsibility to greet new employees and show them the ropes.  She has the patience to teach others, even the most frustrating jobs.

"Given the snappy little wisecracker she is, she never loses patience or says to someone 'you cannot do this'.  Maria is my teacher. She takes pride in her accomplishments and is proud of the Bean Project too."

"The Bean Project has helped me to be responsible and to learn to be on time," says Maria.  "I know now I can handle myself on a job. Carol thinks of me as a teacher, but I just do what needs to be done."

Best part? Maria knows she's not a failure.