Mariana

"I was thankful – very, very thankful – because I could see my kids smile, and it’s not about the things. It’s about how happy they were."

When Mariana left an unhealthy marriage, she had little more than a car and her two children – an 8-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. She had a job and was a hard worker, but she still struggled to find a path forward. For months, her family lived doubled up with a friend of hers. Then, she found Bridge Communities.

"It was very rough," Mariana recalled. "We didn't take much. We just had a car." But acceptance into Bridge Communities marked the beginning of a new chapter.

While Mariana worked with her mentors on budgeting and career development, her children found stability in their new home. "My children’s lives completely turned around at Bridge. They loved it, and they loved the neighborhood," she said. Bridge connected her kids with counseling, educational support and more.

With guidance from Bridge staff and mentors, Mariana set and achieved ambitious goals: paying off her car, finalizing her divorce, and becoming a homeowner. Their support also helped her secure a promotion at her company, building a stronger financial foundation for her family.

By the time she left the Bridge program, Mariana’s family was ready to achieve what was once so far out of reach. Today, she owns her own home. Her children are thriving in school. She was promoted to a managerial position at work, and she's built the stable, joy-filled life she always wanted.

Like so many of the more than 1,000 families Bridge has served, Mariana's journey hasn't just transformed her own family – it has created ripples of positive change that will influence generations to come. Her children are better set up for success, her accomplishments inspire current Bridge families, and her story demonstrates the profound impact of community support.

"Stick to your dreams because they do come true," Mariana advised current Bridge families. " My dream came true. I have a better job, a home for my family, a car, and I'm able to provide for my kids."