When Maria* first entered our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program, she carried the invisible weight of trauma, grief, and the immense responsibility of holding her family together through crisis. Years earlier, her brother had passed away unexpectedly. With no acknowledgment or support from her parents, Maria stepped in—organizing his funeral and helping to raise the children he left behind, all while caring for her own three kids.
At the same time, Maria was navigating recovery from addiction, rooted in a childhood marked by parental substance use, systemic racism, and poverty. Living with her parents—who remained active in their addiction—made healing nearly impossible. But despite the odds, she sought help and began rebuilding her life.
Then came another challenge: a pending child abuse charge after a heated altercation with her 14-year-old. Rather than being defeated, Maria leaned into the opportunity to learn. She completed court-ordered parenting, anger management, and family relationship classes—later sharing how much she wished she had access to that kind of support earlier in life.
“I didn’t know what I didn’t know,” she said. “These classes opened my eyes.”
When we began working together, Maria already had a strong background in food service and customer care—but her confidence had been deeply shaken. We spent months refining her résumé, practicing interviews, and preparing for the right opportunities. During that time, we developed a strong bond built on trust and mutual respect. She often shared how deeply she appreciated being truly heard—without shame or judgment, something she had rarely experienced in the past.
There were moments Maria felt like giving up. But she didn’t.
In time, she received two job offers—and accepted both. Now over three months into her new roles, her managers consistently praise her reliability and warmth. Maria says she finally feels “a sense of purpose,” and her steady income has allowed her to move into her own home, rebuild trust with her children, and envision a more hopeful future.
Maria’s journey is a powerful reminder that people’s struggles are rarely one-dimensional. It’s not about a lack of will—it’s often a lack of support, healing, and opportunity. Today, Maria isn’t just rebuilding her life—she’s creating stability for the next generation.
*Name changed to protect client privacy.
