The circumstances weren’t in her favor.
Born to drug-addicted parents, Nicole’s parents divorced when she was three. She was raised by her grandparents in their Texas home, but the environment there wasn’t much better. “My grandmother, an alcoholic, was a critical, cold, and controlling woman,” says Nicole. “I wasn’t allowed to go out with my friends or to school events. I felt like a prisoner in my own home.”
After graduating high school, Nicole began to rebel. She smoked pot, dated a boy who was involved in drugs, and discovered she was pregnant at age 20. “My grandparents said I could either abort the baby or give him or her up for adoption,” says Nicole. “Neither were options for me.”
No Place to Go
Forced to leave the only home she’d ever known, Nicole took a train to her mother’s home in Illinois at four months pregnant. She found refuge there until her baby, Asher, was born. But when Asher was only two months old, Nicole was told that she was no longer welcome to reside with her mother and stepfather.
Nicole could have been headed for the street. But Nicole’s mother had heard of Jubilee Village through a former resident of the program. “I immediately saw that as the opportunity I needed for me and Asher,” says Nicole. “Within days, I was part of the Jubilee Village transitional housing program.”
Feeling At Home
Nicole admits she was nervous when she first arrived at Jubilee Village. “Everyone was so helpful and welcoming, though,” she says. “It was easy to open up.” It was only a matter of days before Nicole began feeling safe, secure, and at home.
And Jubilee Village offered her so much more than just security. “I received counseling that helped me restore relationships with my mother and stepfather, and I worked with my case manager to establish healthy boundaries with my family,” she says. “I also received help finding a full-time job.”
Nicole adds, “Jubilee Village has made me more responsible. I’m always a month ahead on rent rather than behind. It’s opened a lot of doors for me.”
Opened Doors
One of those doors is the door to college. “I never thought I would attend college,” Nicole says. “But with the support and guidance from Jubilee Village, I am able to.” Nicole currently attends College of DuPage and hopes to work in the medical field.
Another door that Jubilee Village opened has eternal significance—during a conversation with her houseparent, Katie, Nicole made the decision to follow Christ. She is a regular attendee at the local Bible church and is actively growing in her faith.
In more ways than one, Nicole’s life will never be the same. As she says, “I got a brand new life at Jubilee Village!”