Sharon Manor Success Stories
Candy's Story
Think about the things we take for granted everyday ? we all have a safe and secure home, we have a warm bed to sleep in, we have a job to go to and we know our children are safe and happy.
But Candy didn?t have any of those things...
When she was referred to the Sharon Manor program two years ago, she had a three-month-old son and she was on her way to jail. Candy?s life hadn?t been an easy one. She?d survived a long history of abuse ? she had been beaten and threatened by the father of her son; she?d been arrested nine times herself; she had no driver?s license, no job skills and, after choosing to leave her abuser, she was homeless.
Candy was just 24 years old when she was referred to Sharon Manor by a local women?s shelter. She wouldn?t make eye contact with her case manager, she was quiet and withdrawn, and her shoulders seemed perpetually slumped in defeat. But Candy kept going for one reason ? she was determined to provide a better life for her son Michael.
Within one year of coming to Sharon Manor Candy?s life turned around. Through the Sharon Manor program, Candy was provided an affordable apartment, she completed job training, parenting, substance-abuse and self-esteem classes. She learned to drive, saved enough to purchase her first car and found a job working for a local non-profit organization. The safe, affordable housing and support Candy received at Sharon Manor empowered her to change her life.
Now, Candy is thriving! She started a new life, when, after graduating from Sharon Manor she moved into a permanent, safe home with her son. As she was leaving the program, Candy told us that ?for the first time, she felt in charge of her life, both inside and outside.?
Michael is now 2 ? years old. He?s a happy, well-adjusted, mischievous little boy who gets in trouble and makes his mom laugh. Candy is grateful that her son will never know the abuse she survived and, instead, will only know a safe, loving home.
Candy is just one example of the lives that are being changed everyday at Sharon Manor.
