The Opportunity Zone (OZ) is a place to celebrate of the successes of those impacted by Sisters Place services.
Angel and Emma’s Story
An Army veteran and in her mid-twenties, Angel had many positives in her life at the time – a good job, friends, a home, pets, a youthful lifestyle which included dating. But she also had some inner turmoil that others couldn’t see – loneliness, mistrust, strained family relationships, anger. Not yet fully aware of how these emotions and experiences were shaping her young life, she thought she met a man who provided her with stability and comfort.
They began a life together, however they hit many challenges along
the way, many of which stemmed from her former boyfriend’s substance abuse. They lost friends and other support, money, eventually their home. Soon after, Angel discovered that she was pregnant. The young couple were street homeless with their beautiful newborn daughter Emma for about a month before they entered Sisters Place in the Fall of 2018.
Once housing was secured with Sisters Place, staff working with Angel’s family started to notice familial distress and other signs of domestic violence and partnered with Angel in her process of seeking safety. Angel decided it was best for her and baby Emma to enter a domestic violence shelter which she did with support from Sisters Place until it was safe for them to return to the program.
Since that time, Angel has worked diligently to get her life back on track. Determined to do what it takes to rise above adverse circumstances, she used her experiences to reevaluate her relationships, make necessary changes and to increase healthy supports. Moving beyond the traumatic events of her past with renewed motivation, focus and vision, Angel has leaned into the need for change.
She has a goal of becoming a social worker and is currently enrolled at Community College of Allegheny County. She has maintained therapeutic supports and secured part time work as a pet groomer, while continuing to seek employment in the helping field, her true calling. Recently, she accepted a full-time position at Pittsburgh Mercy which she plans to continue during her social work studies – all while raising her toddler.
Additionally, Angel plans to purchase her next home and hopes to utilize new resources available for first time homebuyers to achieve that goal.
Sisters Place is so proud of Angel’s perseverance, especially during this past year when faced with the challenges of a pandemic. She is learning to trust again, and how to put into words what she’s feeling so that she can continue to move forward in her personal process of healing and wellness.
She has fully engaged in the supportive services, programs and resources that her Empowerment & Advancement Coaches, as well as her Wellness Counselor, have provided to her. We’ve seen Emma grow up into her own independent little person, and she is a happy and healthy little girl now facing a life full of promise and opportunities provided for her by her loving mother and their healthy home.
