"Six years ago I didn't even own a car. Now we have a home... We have our daughter. We just got a dog... I never thought I could do it. To come out of the bad path."
Luz was six months pregnant, had been out of prison for six months. She had an extreme gang background and mental illness. She had lost her older two children due to her history of drug use and prison time.
However, she wanted to be the mom that she couldn't be to her other children, and really just wanted to do it right this time.
Luz began receiving case management from NVCSS's Butte Baby Steps program.
Familiar with servicing those who deal with very high levels of need such as housing insecurity, food insecurity, and unresolved childhood trauma, her Case Manager Kim worked to alleviate some of that pressure. By becoming a calming and reassuring presence, Kim helped to normalize the stressors and difficulties natural to parenthood. She provided Luz with affirmation and positive-reinforcement that every parent needs.
"[Luz] didn't have anybody consistent that told her she could do it... She was fighting," Kim says. "So, I became like this calming [presence] like, 'Nope, this is normal... Look, you're doing it. Look, [your daughter is] amazing and that's because of you! And you're not doing what you did before.'"
Luz admits, "It was still new to me to open up. I usually didn't open up, but me and Kim became very close, and I just felt I could tell her everything and anything without judgment."
"Six years ago I didn't even own a car. Now we have a home. We bought a car. We have our daughter. We just got a dog. So it's very nice," Luz says reflecting on her journey. "I never thought I could do it. To come out of the bad path. But honestly, with Kim being by my side, supporting me, it was just a big help and support. I really didn't have anybody at the time. "
"The program did help me with learning about child development, which that was a big part." Luz is grateful for the support of Northern Valley Catholic Social Services, "The program's really amazing. It changed my life in a positive way."
Inspired by this story of hope, Most Reverend Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento exhorts, "Luz's story is a vivid reminder how encounters with the richness of God's enduring mercy bring comfort, dignity, and hope for our many neighbors just scraping by every day."
