‘They’re Going To Take My Kid’: How I Went From Homeless Convict To Successful Mother

In two years, a lot can happen. It would be a great surprise to me.

Just two years ago, I sat in a treatment facility waiting for a psychiatric drug prescription, careless as the passing minutes slowly wasted away. I had nothing left to live for.  Finally, the doctor returned and I looked up in disbelief at her shocking revelation. “We’re sending you home on prenatals!” She announced.

It was shocking.  I’d just gotten out of jail, and it couldn’t be possible that a brief rendezvous with my former drug dealer had resulted in a new baby.

Panic turned into shock. They’re going to take my kid. I’d already permanently lost custody of four children. I would be devastated if another child was taken from me.

As I sat there crying, abortion seemingly my only option, I had no idea that a home called Bethlehem House would soon save my life.

Bethlehem House was founded in 2005 to shelter and heal pregnant women struggling with addictions, homelessness, poverty, and lack of family support – among other challenges. 

Unfortunately, I was not the ideal candidate. My childhood was filled with abuse and trauma. At 14 years old, my mother abused me sexually.  By the time I was 16, I was already living completely on my own, working full-time, and completing school. I graduated as valedictorian from my high school class despite all odds. I was then able to enter the workforce and get married. 

My marriage rapidly fell apart when my husband became abusive. He also revealed a severe drug addiction to me.  My addiction eventually led to me losing my house, my job and my four children five years later.

My most difficult loss was the one that I suffered from, losing my children.

I spent months fighting to sober up, achieve housing stability, and regain custody of them – only for CPS to swoop in again and permanently tear my babies away even though at the time I was finally doing everything right.  I felt that there was nothing I could do.

In despair, I spent 17 months ruining what little of my life. I became a criminal and homeless person with two warrants from two states. I ran away as I stole cars, sold drugs and lived in poverty.

It wasn’t until I was robbed at gunpoint that I finally abandoned this lifestyle. With nothing left to lose, I turned myself in to the nearest jail where I served 10 months. I was released under the condition that I would seek treatment.

That’s what brought me to the treatment facility, where I sat crying,  terrified of losing yet another child.  Why should I carry a child to term, I wondered,  if the state is just going to take him or her from me in the end?

Yet despite my shock and fear, I wondered if  it could be possible that this unexpected pregnancy was instead a second chance at life.  I knew I wanted to keep this baby  — but how?

After learning about Bethlehem House, I visited. I was met with a familiar face in the home’s Family Life Director who had run my support group in jail. I was greeted with warmth and compassion by the staff. They even wept with me as I shared my past. From that moment, I knew I was at the right place.

I stayed at Bethlehem House for the next seven months, during which time they offered me professional counseling to heal my trauma and mental instabilities, as well as a wide range of practical classes to help me regain my confidence and re-establish myself: from parenting and sexual integrity to financial literacy and more. I grew extremely close with the other women living in the home at the time, and I flourished in the stable family structure I’d been lacking my whole life.

The strong  women at Bethlehem House encouraged me to set goals that would help me and my son Brandon in the long run. My determination to not only keep Brandon, but also to create a stable and healthy life for him motivated me to achieve those goals, and within two years  of the day  that  I first showed up homeless on  the doorstep of Bethlehem House I had — every single one. 

I obtained housing, got my college degree, paid off my $10k debt, bought a car and received my license back. I got a job at Jiffy Lube,  and within a year I was promoted to store manager. I am currently applying for a job as a district manger at the company. I am also working towards my next goal of home ownership.

For the first time ever, I am completely free of government assistance. I’m also four years clean.

Looking back on my life, I’m amazed at how miraculously I transformed from a hopeless, broken woman to a successful, sober mom. 

All of this is thanks to the abundance of resources, support, and love Bethlehem House  showered on