Alondra

Mainstay gave me the hope. Thank you!


Alondra came to Mainstay as a result of a rape incident and not having a family or support system to assist her. She has never known her biological parents and has been in 23 foster and group homes throughout her life. She felt she had no way to support herself except to be involved in prostitution and adult night clubs. She also struggled with alcohol abuse.

With the help of the staff at Mainstay, Alondra set goals to help achieve her
independence without being in un-safe situations. She participated in the
Nurturing Parenting classes provided by Mainstay, which she says has helped her learn parenting skills to assist her when she is with her child, who is currently with the father.

Alondra says that by being at Mainstay she has learned about relationships, boundaries, and techniques for being safe. This has helped her to make positive changes in her life. Alondra attends AA and has been sober for 5 months from alcohol.

She obtained her NC Identification card and is now a U.S. citizen which will allow her to find employment and housing. She applied to college and is starting in May to earn her degree in early childhood development.

She has had a difficult time but says that Mainstay staff was very supportive throughout those times never giving up on her or never letting her give up on
herself. Alondra says, "This is the first time anyone told her that she could amount to something."

At Mainstay, she came to have a sense of what family and friends are. She feels that Mainstay is the "best shelter" and was always willing to help in any way that is possible. Alondra is sad to leave Mainstay as it was a place that felt like home but she is moving to a different shelter near her school so that she can begin to fulfill her dreams. She plans on finding a job and owning her own home.

Directly from Alondra - 'Thank you for the hope that you gave me'