Just a Little Time

Although a single mom, Mary no longer struggles with the ongoing financial stress that comes with raising a child on her own.

“Thanks to Gracewood, I have a secure job in which I am able to sufficiently provide for my son and me,” said Mary.

In 2009, Mary and her 11-year-old son, Justin, moved to Houston from El Paso, where she had worked as a dietary technician, dietary manager and officer manager. The next step in her career path was to complete an internship to become a registered dietitian, an opportunity not available in El Paso.

“I was living with my mom, working full time and still could not make enough money in my current job or the jobs I qualified for to make it on my own,” said Mary.

After being accepted for an internship at Prairie View A&M, Mary and Justin packed up and headed to Houston.

“We were prepared for the move, but we were not prepared for the increase in cost of living,” said Mary.

It quickly became apparent that Mary was not going to be able to afford the apartment she had in Houston even with help from her mother. As her savings were quickly being depleted, she was referred by her church to Gracewood. She and Justin moved in in December 2009.

“Mary is a perfect example of someone who just needed a little extra time on her way to creating a better future for her family,” said Debbie Rippstein, Executive Director of Gracewood.

While glad to be at Gracewood, Mary still worried how Justin, who is autistic, might respond to group living.

“I was truly amazed how everything lined up,” said Mary. “Spring Branch had a special school for children who are autistic and Justin actually enjoyed being around the other children at Gracewood.”

Despite initial reluctance to share in counseling and with the other moms, the gentleness of the staff and the other women living at Gracewood brought Mary out of her shell.

“In realizing that they really wanted to know me, I slowly allowed them into my world, which really opened up a door for healing,” said Mary.

After only six months at Gracewood, Mary completed her internship in May of 2010 and decided to move back to El Paso to be near family while she studied for her licensing exam, worked and waited.

She passed her exam in February of 2011 and secured a job in April 2011. She now works as a kidney dietitian at a local clinic, a job she has had for nearly two years.

“After being told by a high school guidance counselor that I would never make it in college, it is that much more rewarding to look back and see all I’ve accomplished,” said Mary. “I will be forever grateful to Gracewood for believing in me and for its support to make a dream reality.”