Everything was going fine until one day, at work, I got the worst phone call of my life. Josh, only two months and two days old, wasn’t breathing. I came to learn that the father of my kids had shaken Josh, leaving him with subdural hematomas and several broken ribs.

Everything changed that day, except for one thing: Bridget. She came with me to the hospital and to court, after my parental rights were terminated. She connected me with classes that talked about the warning signs of living in a household where abuse and neglect are more likely to happen, and I recognized my own life. It helped me find the strength to divorce their father, and get my children back. My primary goal in Early Head Start was to find full-time work, and when I did, I graduated from the program.

Today, I have a happy and healthy home with my kids, and Josh, who the doctors said wouldn’t be able to walk or mentally develop past the age of a 3 month old, is thriving. With the help of Bridget and CARE House, I gained the knowledge and power to take control of my life and create a safe home for my children. I know that Josh and Olivia will get to have the healthy futures that all kids should have, and I’m thankful to CARE House for their part in getting me here.