Antonia’s Story
When Antonia arrived at Warren Village, she was a young single mother with no resources or a place to live. She needed a hand up.
Antonia found Warren Village after hearing about the program from one of her classmates at Metro State University who was a former resident. At the time, she and her young daughter were living with her family. With too many people in a tight space, it was difficult and led to conflict in the family, signaling to Antonia that it was time for her to be more independent. She moved to Warren Village and found that independence with the right balance of support she needed.
At Warren Village, Antonia found support in the form of her family advocate. “I can tell she loves her job and that everyone here wants to help,” shared Antonia. Antonia has also enjoyed the life skills classes taught at Warren Village with some of her favorites being educational classes on sexism and oppression awareness, how to read with your child, and personal fitness classes.
Antonia’s daughter, Nayeli, especially loves evening childcare and RISE, an early childhood literacy program offered at Warren Village. Even though Nayeli is in the care of family members during the day, she still is able to socialize and be around other children with these programs. Antonia said Nayeli loved having their own apartment and was always asking if they could go home whenever they would leave Warren Village.
Antonia’s goals are sure to be actualized with her current progress. After completing our two-year program, Antonia and her daughter are living on their own, she is thriving as a full-time university student studying human services and criminal justice, and working part-time. Antonia is committed to making a better life for herself and her daughter—and to giving back.
Antonia’s pay-it-forward spirit and dedication to helping others makes her a truly outstanding beneficiary of the Warren Village program. She shared,
“Warren Village lends a helping hand and then encourages you to give back to your community. You come here with nothing, asking for help and it’s a wondrous thing to leave after two years, feeling as though you are strong enough to be a source of strength for others. Living at Warren Village not only helped me stand on my own two feet, but encouraged me to continue the cycle of support.”