Crystal’s Story

Crystal was pregnant and struggling with addiction and chronic illness when she left an abusive husband, along with her older daughter Ashlyn, to seek safe haven with her mother and stepfather. She was not able to stay with them long-term and was living in a homeless shelter when her baby girl Brooklyn was born. Soon after, Crystal was accepted into Warren Village. Now 18 months later, Crystal is focused on her goals and hopeful for a bright future for herself and her two young daughters. Crystal’s children are her support and inspiration. She recently enrolled in our new Workforce Development program—a partnership with the Community College of Denver— designed to prepare our residents for more career and educational advancement opportunities. Crystal always thought going to college would be out of reach, but through this program she will be positioned to continue on towards a Bachelor’s Degree and beyond. She would like to become an addiction counselor and “pay it forward” through service to others. Crystal had this to say about her new direction:

“This is the first time in my life I have ever felt pride in myself. It’s priceless! And this is the first time I believe I will be able to get a job to support my family without public assistance.”