“ I don’t understand why and how you and your staff love us so much, but I’m sure glad you do...I’ve never felt so empowered in my life… You give us hope without even knowing it.”

- Single mother of five

maya's story - from misery to victory

I will never forget the look on Maya’s face as the head judge stepped forward to congratulate her with a hug. It was a flush of emotion; surprise and disbelief, mingled with joy. The judge asked about Maya’s plans for the future. Maya smiled shyly and said she had decided to go to a private school to learn American Sign Language. The judge and the rest of the court audience applauded her dreams and took a few minutes to honor her dismissal from the court system. If they only knew that this was just one of many dreams for the future. If they were only aware of the great difficulties she experienced along the way… the victory would have tasted even sweeter to them.

Like many of our clients, Maya grew up having to make hard choices. She had to struggle with choosing between family and personal safety, feeling misunderstood, mistreated, and continually overlooked by caregivers, and intense emotional difficulties. Maya was referred to Lifeline’s Phase 3 Independent Living Program for assistance in developing independent living skills and for added social support. She desired so badly to be on her own, but lacked the confidence and skills necessary to make it. Maya also found it difficult to trust authority figures in her life, and had little respect for them.

During her nine month stint in the program, Maya blossomed into a young adult who took initiative instead of asking questions, set and accomplished goals rather than being paralyzed by the big picture, respected the rules instead of rebelling against them, and opened her heart to an “authority.” She honed her desires into a specific plan for the near future, but also talked about her many long term dreams to work overseas in India, counsel abused children, and even buy an old house and fix it up. She knows who she is, what she wants, and she’s running forward. All Maya needed was someone to come alongside, show her the love of God, and give her the wings to fly. May God be praised for working through Lifeline to bring Maya to such a place of celebration!

*name has been changed to protect confidentiality

- Independent Living Staff