SUCCESS STORIES

We love hearing from our past residents. Recently we have had contact with some of our residents who lived with us in the 80’s and 90’s.

    One wrote, “I was a resident during my pregnancy in 1984. I never returned to the house; however, the house has always had a special place in my heart. I have come to realize that I should give to an agency that contributed significantly to the woman that I am today by providing resources that I have taken for granted over the years. I no longer take such luxuries as shelter, clothing, food, and transportation for granted. It is my desire and commitment to donate to Genesis House.” She has been sending a monthly donation.

    Another wrote, “Almost 21 years ago, I stood on the porch steps of Genesis House scared to death. I was single, I was broke, and I was pregnant. My parents allowed me to make the choice to live at Genesis House where I could stay and really make some important decisions for myself, my future and the future of my unborn child. I went through that door with the attitude that it was about me. Why not? It was, wasn’t it?
    Well, in the course of those long six months that I stayed at Genesis House, I found that it had nothing to do specifically with me. I had never lived in group housing, besides the fact that I’m the middle of seven children. I had never been exposed to people so radically different from me. But how different were they really when I was living with them, and we were all in the same boat?
    I had the advantage of education and a true sense of self and belonging. I learned that without those tools, life is very, very hard. Without realizing it, I began to share my life with the others. I taught O... how to read, and she taught me empathy. I helped J... fill out applications for beauty school, and she taught me that any honest work was good work. I listened to R... as she cried when she finally decided to place her baby for adoption. I learned that life was a precious gift and was never to be taken for granted.
    Genesis House taught me to be a true, loving, responsible adult, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My son has since graduated high school and has completed his second tour in Iraq as a US Marine. He’s back safe and sound. I’m blessed. We’re blessed.
    I kept my promise to myself that I would never give up my dreams. I am living in Los Angeles and working as an actress and writer, and when that doesn’t work, I wait tables like everyone else.
    Genesis House was the second best choice I’ve ever made; the first being to have my baby. Thanks for everything!”

    Several months ago Lisa, our House Manager for Genesis House III, was at a local hospital with one of our residents who was in labor. The nurse who was working that evening told Lisa that she had been a resident at Genesis House in the 90’s. She said her experience at Genesis House made her decide that she wanted to be a Labor & Delivery Nurse. She attended college and received her Nursing Degree.
    Presently, one of our many residents has been with us almost two years. She is working on her AA degree and is making excellent grades. Many residents have finished their job training programs or earned their college degrees while living in Genesis House II.