Building Stability One Step at a Time
After battling struggles as a single mother, Gardenia Guerra is achieving success that is setting her on a glowing path toward self-sufficiency.
The Cassiano Homes resident is flourishing in the classroom and in the workforce, holding a 3.02 GPA while pursuing an associate degree in Applied Science from St. Phillip’s College. While in school, she is working as a medical assistant at CommuniCare Health Center, and is pursuing homeownership through the Family Self-Sufficiency program.
Gardenia aspires to be a licensed vocational nurse and eventually as a registered nurse – rewarding career paths that give her family a better opportunity toward achieving prosperity.
“It has meant the world to me to achieve the success I have had so far,” she said. “The success I have reached gives me not only a better opportunity at life, but also for my kids.”
Gardenia’s success is an inspiring turnaround after financial struggles led to homelessness. To give herself the best chance for a return to stability, she has utilized every available resource provided by the FSS program – from daycare services to insightful financial literacy courses for improving her income.
Through the years, the program has provided Gardenia with impactful resources that gave her the best chance to turn her life around. Early in her enrollment, she completed a Health Profession Opportunity Grant Program and received her certified nursing assistant certification. When challenges arose with securing internet access, FSS specialists connected Gardenia to BiblioTech’s services to ensure she could complete essential schoolwork without disruption.
“I wouldn’t be here without these opportunities,” Gardenia said. “The FSS program has been my support and backbone.”
The dedicated single mother hopes to see her efforts finally pay off by purchasing her first home by September of this year.
“Purchasing my first home would mean I am finally able to give my children a better quality of life, I used to move from city to city, and I don’t want my kids to go through that anymore.”