By Kathy Medved
"I was pregnant when my husband, Erik, and I hesitantly came to Martha's Village & Kitchen in 2007. We never thought we would be in a position to have to ask for this kind of help, but when Erik lost his job, we couldn’t afford our apartment. I had lost custody of my other three children and wouldn’t be able to get them back unless I could prove that I could afford to raise them.
"After five months at Martha's Village, I regained custody of my youngest child, Joshua, who was still a baby. During that time I also completed most of the program-required classes which included Challenge to Change, Smart Money, Job Seeking Skills and a Parenting class. When my 4th child, Nicholas, was born, I was also completing my GED. Shortly thereafter I regained custody of my other 2 boys, Jacob, 11, and Carlos, 13, and our family was together again.
"I am now due to graduate from the Regional Occupational Program for the Medical Assistant Back Office program. Although I have part-time retail sales employment, my goals are to obtain a full-time job in a medical office, permanent and safe housing and stable transportation.
"I would like to thank all of the staff at Martha’s Village and Kitchen for believing and encouraging me to become self-sufficient. I would really recommend this program to anyone who wants to change and make a difference in their life."
NOTE: As of 2010, Eugena has graduated, is happy to be working full-time at the Kidney Institute of the Desert in Indio as a Dialysis Technician and has agreed with her ex-husband to split the custody of their two older sons, Jacob & Carlos. Erik is glad to be a stay-at-home dad for the time being, taking care of their sons, Joshua and Nicholas, in their own permanent and safe apartment in Indio.
Kathy Medved is on the Charitable Giving Team at Martha's Village & Kitchen
|
