Each person’s journey through The Bridge Home’s doors is unique, and AnnMarie’s story is woven with resilience, determination, and hope.
At 20 years old, AnnMarie found herself at a crossroads, pregnant, with nowhere to live. But after connecting with The Bridge Home, she found refuge and the guidance needed to get back on her feet and take the first steps towards her new chapter.
“I didn’t have anywhere to go, so I reached out to The Bridge Home, who was able to get me and my boyfriend into a hotel for a while in Boone.”
AnnMarie’s younger life was marked by instability. Born in Oskaloosa, she was separated from her mother when she was five and went to live with her father. During these formative years, AnnMarie found herself moving between treatment centers for behavioral problems. It wasn’t until she turned 14 that she regained agency over her life, choosing to live with her mother and finishing high school.
In an interview with AnnMarie, she reflected on hurdles she has overcome and where things took a turn.
“I was a good kid up until I was 18, and then I got into some bad friendships and the wrong crowd.”
After arriving at The Bridge Home, AnnMarie received guidance and support from her caseworker, who connected her with one of our community partners, Martha’s House of Hope, where she is currently navigating her path as a new mother.
Martha’s House of Hope provides transitional living for pregnant or parenting women and infants up to one year old. Their comprehensive support includes housing, transportation, medical care, case management, and material assistance. Their holistic approach aims to give mothers and their babies the best start possible.
“I want my daughter to have the opportunities I didn’t.”
Partnerships with organizations like Martha’s House of Hope are paramount to providing The Bridge Home clients with the resources they need to build a solid foundation for their new lives.
Looking toward the future, AnnMarie envisions a life of stability and opportunity for herself and her baby girl. Her aspirations of securing employment, buying her own home, and providing a nurturing environment for her daughter embody the resilience and hope that define The Bridge Home’s mission. We more proud of proud of AnnMarie.
“The Bridge Home getting me off the street and helping us means the world to me.”
AnnMarie’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of community. Through the support of The Bridge Home and collaborative partnerships with community resources, AnnMarie is forging a path toward stability and empowerment for herself and her daughter.
If you or someone you know might benefit from our services, call us at 515-232-8075. Whether it’s help with emergency shelter or housing assistance, we can help or connect you to the support you or your loved one needs.
