STORIES OF EMPOWERMENT: Kim's Journey
Like countless single mothers, Kim a devoted mother of three, lived a daily financial struggle to make ends meet. An increase in rent, the skyrocketing cost of groceries and the loss of income from the recent hurricanes only exacerbated her situation. When the heavy weight of her finances left her feeling hopeless, she would turn to her children. “My kids are incredible, just seeing them and knowing that they were happy… that we had each other, gave me the calming reassurance I needed to keep moving forward”.
While trying to juggle a full-time job and being a full-time mother, Kim was also trying desperately to shield her 3, 4, and 16-year-old children from her addiction. When she began to see signs that her addiction was having an impact on her children, Kim turned to The Salvation Army.
Because she didn’t have a support system in Florida, Kim had no choice but to relocate her children to family up north. While the younger children were more resilient to the move, Kim’s son was forced to leave behind his school, his friends, and his football team.
Knowing that her addiction was standing in the way of being with her children and that her son wanted so badly to return to his life in Florida, Kim quickly enrolled in our no-cost residential Life Recovery Program. Less than a week into treatment, Kim learned about our family transitional housing program and worked with her case manager to secure a unit for her family.
Through intensive case management, wrap around services, and support, Kim was able to break free from her addiction, progress from treatment into supportive housing, be reunited with her children, receive career counselling, and create a budget. In less than 6 months, Kim was able to save enough money to move her family into their own permanent home.
Today, Kim’s family is thriving. Her son was re-engaged with his football team and is excelling academically. Her younger children continue to learn and grow in a loving, safe, and secure environment. Kim received a promotion at work resulting in increased income and enhanced stability for her family.
When the darkness of addiction began to creep into her family’s life, The Salvation Army Sarasota County was able to step in to provide the encouragement and hope Kim needed to move forward with confidence and the tools she needed to maintain a life that would allow her children to thrive.