Bianca arrived from Venezuela in 2017, scared and on her own. She spoke no English and had no family support, but what she did have propelled her forward: determination to make a better life for her son. With tenacity and grit, Bianca found her first crucial lifeline at Catholic Charities, with whom FLS links arms in our city’s Family Solutions Collaborative. Step by step, she began to learn English, then secured her first job. Still, the challenges of starting a new life in a new country felt insurmountable at times. Catholic Charities pointed Bianca to an opportunity: an FLS apartment was becoming available. They encouraged her to apply. “The interview was in English, and I was so nervous. I practiced my words and told myself, ‘I’m going to try, because it’s for my son!’ When I received an apartment, I was so grateful because in that moment—my life changed.”
Bianca reflects on her first few months on campus: “I felt immediately relieved to have a place to call home, a place of our own.” Relief turned to empowerment as Bianca’s stability advanced in ways she couldn’t have imagined. Through coaching from staff and community with fellow single moms, FLS nurtured her resolute pursuit of a brighter future. “I felt listened to, heard, not alone, like I was with family. We were together and could share our feelings and be connected.” The supportive village of FLS affirmed her God-given dignity and cheered her on as she enrolled in ESL classes at the community college. “I knew if I could improve my English, I could get a better job.” And she did.
FLS staff walked alongside her to reach goals like securing solid childcare and gaining her driver’s license (“My coach helped me understand the importance of getting that!”) Bianca’s own persistence to master a second language paid off. She took courageous steps to improve her employment and came full circle— earning a career helping families in the same way she was helped—at Catholic Charities! Promoted to her current ‘dream’ role as a Family Life Coach, she now energizes others: “I am so excited to share with every single family: you can do it!” Her own story of breaking free from instability and building a new future is a luminous example to the women she serves, all of whom she invites to Women of Courage, FLS’ outreach program. WOC provides Bianca a crucial space to thrive in relationships with other hard- working single moms while benefiting from staff mentorship.
Bianca’s diligence for the sake of her son continues to bear fruit, and frankly, to amaze us. Having saved her money for years, she recently bought her own home. “It is small, but for me, it is a palace!” she laughs joyfully. Through FLS and our partners, she’s forged strong bonds in the community. A few years ago while attending Gift of Love, a Christmas event hosted by FLS’ robust church partner Woodmen Valley Chapel, Bianca and her son met a generous woman while frosting sugar cookies. “She asked if we had plans for Christmas Eve. At the moment I was feeling so sad and homesick. I told her, ‘No, we don’t have any family here.’ She invited us to her house for Christmas, and now, we spend every holiday with them—Easter, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, 4th of July! We are like family and love going to Bible Study at their house every Tuesday.” In God’s beautiful providence, at this Bible study, Bianca met a loving and godly man. They’re now engaged to be married! She’s quick to give God the glory. “Believe in the Lord in your heart.” She adds, reflecting on her hard road, “Believe in yourself!” Bianca’s journey reflects her astounding leaps of faith: trusting God, accessing resources, deploying grit, linking arms, and believing for herself the very words she now imparts to others: “You can DO it!”
“When I received an apartment, I was so grateful because in that moment— my life changed.” -Bianca
Your contributions empower women like Bianca! Family Life Services helps single moms and their children build new futures through faith-based community. By God’s grace, our goal is to launch each mom as the stable head of her household, equipped to meet her family’s needs. Want to support families like Bianca’s? Learn how to volunteer or give. Through God’s grace, we rely on volunteers and private donations. Thank you for making a difference!
“God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abount in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8