Maria: “I Have a Life Now” 

When her father left home and never returned, Maria was forced to help raise her siblings while her mother worked long hours. The experience leadened her teenage years with trauma and depression. To escape that unusually stressful adolescence, as well as fit in with her classmates, Maria began using drugs and alcohol.

She developed issues with addiction and, despite loving books and being an “A” student, she did not graduate high school with her class. This partly led her down a spiraling path that resulted in Maria experiencing homelessness more than once. She always worked, but bad breaks and health ailments – including a harrowing bout with cancer – consistently derailed her plans.

Today, however, Maria is back in a safe, secure home, which is aiding her recovery, improving her health, and giving her a pathway toward stability.

She has earned her GED degree and eventually gained permanent housing. She also is putting her life experience to good use by serving on Abode’s Lived Experience Advisory Board.

We formed LEAB to receive feedback from those who have experienced homelessness, to improve the quality of Abode’s work.

“I want to advocate and help other people in whatever way I can,” Maria said. “I want to gain further opportunities to do something worthwhile with my life.”

Maria lives in an Abode supportive housing site in the East Bay, and having her own home is allowing her to focus on transforming her life.

“It’s made a big difference for me,” she said. “I wanted to get housing, which I got, and to stabilize my health – which is getting better. I’m meeting my goals.”

The stability of a home gives Maria the time and sense of calm to focus on what matters to her. 

“It’s a place where I can just be,” she said. “This was my first birthday where I’m enjoying my life, with no health issues getting in my way.”

Now, Maria intends to use her platform on the LEAB board to give back to the community, using her ample life experience to provide insight and advice to those in need.

“I want to volunteer, I want to help nonprofits like Abode that help homeless people,” she said. “I have a life now, I have health, and I need to give back somehow because I’m still alive for a reason.”