Alisha's Journey of Hope

When a mother walks through our doors, she often carries the weight of the world on her shoulders - fear, uncertainty, and the hope for something better. For one mom, that moment came when she met her Step By Step case manager, Dyan, while living in a shelter with her three children, no car, and no clear path forward.

“I was a mess,” Alisha said. “But there was something about Dyan that gave me hope. I felt heard and seen - she made everything seem possible.” Dyan introduced Alisha to the Step By Step Dreams Work program. “I thought it was just a job readiness program, but it turned out to be so much more,” said Alisha.

Through the Dreams Work job readiness program, she found not only practical skills, but something even more powerful - hope. She discovered confidence, community, and the belief that she could build a better future for herself and her children.

“For the first time in a long time, I believed that I was capable of more,” said Alisha. Around that same time, Dyan also helped her find housing, giving her family the stability they needed to rebuild their lives.

The journey wasn’t easy. During the program, she faced the loss of her own mother and the grief felt overwhelming. But she persevered - inspired by her children and supported by a community that refused to let her give up.

This spring, she proudly graduated from Dreams Work, earned her high school diploma a few months later, and is now pursuing an associate’s degree in Human Services. Her dream is to become a counselor and help others who are walking the same road she once did.

When we asked Alisha about her journey, she responded: “I’ve survived suicidal thoughts, sexual abuse, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. But I am no longer defined by what I’ve been through - I am defined by how I’ve risen above it. I want to break cycles, create a better life for my children, and make my mother proud. Most of all, I want to be living proof that transformation is possible.

My journey is far from over, but I know this: I started in a shelter with nothing, and now I stand with hope, strength, and a vision for the future.”

Your generosity makes stories like Alisha’s possible. Every dollar you give helps a mother take one more step toward stability, confidence, and hope.

As we close out the year, will you help another mom take her next step? Your one-time gift of $50, $100, $250 or more — or a monthly gift of any amount — can help change a family’s story from struggle to strength.

Because of you, it’s possible.

With Gratitude,
Krista Linden
Founder & Executive Director