The Christmas Season is Upon Us!
This Christmas season we share the story of a young mom, Kristina, and her journey through our cornerstone program, Thrive. This is a difficult time of year for our young families, financially and emotionally. Join us this year with a donation that will help young moms, dads and their amazing kids access our centre and resources.
Kristina was generous in sharing her story and below is her own story in her own words. Learn how Thrive helped Kristina choose a different future.
This Christmas season we share the story of a young mom, Kristina, and her journey through our cornerstone program, Thrive. This is a difficult time of year for our young families, financially and emotionally. Join us this year with a donation that will help young moms, dads and their amazing kids access our centre and resources.
Kristina was generous in sharing her story and below is her own story in her own words. Learn how Thrive helped Kristina choose a different future.
"My
story is a long one with lots of ups and downs. I was on a path of
self-destruction for a long time not really caring enough to look at the big
picture and where my life was going always wanting more but never really
knowing what more was. I would make split second decisions that usually
brought more trouble than I needed. Every time I took a step in what I
thought was the right direction it seemed two steps back would follow.
This caused stress and anger and disappointment and with no coping
skills. I would turn to drinking, drugs, to sex just trying to numb
everything not ever thinking of the consequences of anything.
Before I started with Thrive I was at
the point where nothing seemed to be working. I was stuck in a rut
running in circles, so when Cherise showed up to our coffee date with the
application I thought,, why not? I didn’t have anything to loose at that
point. I wasn’t sure what I had hoped to learn or how 10 weeks could
change my life but I needed to do something. For the first probably week,
I still wasn’t sure what this was supposed to do and really didn’t know how I
was going to get through it. As the days went on I started to realize
that I needed to really invest my energy into it to really get something out of
it. No one warned me however that once you stop holding back this program
is probably the most intense emotional 10 weeks of your life.
I have learned so much about
myself.
What I stand for, what makes me tick, what I am capable of.
Thrive has taught me how to improve my life. To look before I leap and
that nobody is perfect and it is ok to make mistakes. I have learned
determination. I have learned self-worth. I have learned
perseverance. I have learned to be softer and more understanding. I have
learned practical life skills like parenting skills, budgeting, and how to cope
with stressful situations.
Each of the amazing women here both
leading the program and taking the program have taught me something about who I
want to be. I have learned how to be a better friend, a better partner, a
better parent, and a better person. Everything I have learned is so
amazing but the most important thing I have learned is that my past does not
define my future. Who I was months ago is not who I am today. I am
so thankful for everyone at Thrive and for all the people that help make it
possible. I am thankful for the life long friends made here. As for
the future ,who knows where it will take me but I do know I have the skills I
need to get there."
We at Stepping Stones and Young Families
believe in these families and their futures. Everyday we see measures of
success in their lives and we are thankful for people like you who share our
commitment to them through Stepping Stones. For easy online giving, please
click on the link below to make a one time donation or begin monthly giving:
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