A Future Within Reach: Lizzy’s Story

For much of her life, Lizzy learned how to get through on her own.

At 21, after being asked to leave her foster home, she found herself without stable housing, moving from place to place and doing what she could to survive. When she became pregnant, the weight of that instability grew heavier. Shelters offered little flexibility, often requiring her to leave during the day with nowhere to rest. In one program, she walked for hours to get to work because there was no transportation. For months, she went without prenatal care, trying to manage everything on her own.

What she needed most was not determination. It was someone to walk with her.

Getting to City of Refuge took time. A life coach consistently advocated for her, calling for months before a space became available. When she finally arrived, she stepped into something different. This was not just a place to stay. It was a place that would walk with her through one of the most critical seasons of her life.

At City of Refuge, Lizzy found stability as she prepared to become a mother. After giving birth to her son, she was given the time and space to rest and recover. Her needs were met so she could focus on healing and bonding with her baby. For the first time in a long time, she was not facing each day alone.

The change did not happen overnight.

At first, Lizzy kept to herself, relying on the independence she had always known. With encouragement, she slowly stepped into the community. She began building relationships with other mothers, sharing daily life and support in ways that reshaped how she saw herself and others. What started as distance grew into connection.

She stayed. She committed to the program and walked it through to completion, something she had never done before. When the time came, she moved into her own apartment with her son, stepping into independence with a stronger foundation beneath her.

Today, Lizzy is continuing forward with clear goals. She is in school working toward her certification as a medical assistant and hopes to build a career working with children in a hospital setting. She is focused on providing stability for her son and creating a future that looks different from her past.

City of Refuge walks with women like Lizzy through uncertainty, offering consistent support, practical resources, and a community that stays. Because of your generosity, Lizzy is no longer just surviving. She is building a life with stability, with support, and with hope for what comes next.

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