Share
Next spring, I will cross the stage to receive my associate degree—an achievement I once thought was completely out of reach. Today, I am working full-time in a career connected to my degree, living in an apartment I love, and watching my son grow up healthy and thriving.
I have learned to love and be patient with myself. I’ve become a present, intentional mother, built healthy relationships, and set strong boundaries to protect the life I’m creating. Guided by my faith and supported by my mentor, I now move forward with a clear sense of purpose. My goal is to earn my bachelor’s degree so I can advocate for youth who have walked similar paths—giving my son the stability and opportunities I lacked, while proving to others that our pasts do not dictate our destiny.
Looking at my life today, it is hard to believe where I started. Before connecting with Orangewood Foundation, I was navigating one of the most uncertain periods of my life. I had recently gotten sober after struggling with addiction and spent time in juvenile hall and county jail. I was facing homelessness, thousands of dollars in debt, and struggling with my mental health.
Having grown up in the foster care system, I had no family network or safety net to rely on. When I found out I was pregnant, I had no car, no job, and zero stability. Holding my newborn son in my arms, I felt terrified and hopeless, with no idea how I was going to build a life for us.
“I had no car, no job, and very little stability, feeling hopeless and unsure of what my or my child’s future would look like. Most importantly, I have learned that my past truly does not define my future.
I first learned about Orangewood through my social worker when I was 16, usingtheir drop-in resources for fresh meals, hygiene items, and life-skills workshops.But when I aged out of foster care at 18 and my housing situation collapsed,Orangewood became far more than a safety net—it became my community.
When shelters were full, an Orangewood team member named Eddie refused tolet me drift away. He called and messaged me regularly to check in, keeping meconnected to resources until a spot opened up at Casa de Rosemary.
Moving into Casa de Rosemary required me to let my guard down and ask for helpwhen I felt most vulnerable. There, my case manager, Kanani, stood beside me.She motivated me, connected me to job opportunities, and taught me essentialparenting and independent living skills. Without the unrelenting belief andencouragement from Eddie, Kanani, and the Orangewood team, I would not bewhere I am today.
A Message from Jeanna
If you are facing a difficult season, know that you do not have to have everything figured out at once. There are people and organizations willing to walk alongside you if you reach out.
Most importantly, remember this: your past does not define who you are or whoyou can become. Keep going, take things one day at a time, and believe that youand your future are worth fighting for.
