The positive impact of Marguerite's Place

Crystal's Story

During my time at Marguerite's Place, I have done some schooling at the Adult Learning Center where I received my certificates in Medical Terminology and Medical Office Procedures. After about two months of volunteering at Southern N.H. Medical Center's business office, they offered me the position of Medical Records Clerk. Now that I have been working for one year, I have removed myself from the welfare system! Not only am I being a good role model for my son and am also making myself a better person. Another great accomplishment during my time here is that I have quit smoking. And the money that I used to spend on my smoking habit now is being saved so that I can better myself for my son. I am extremely proud of myself for all I have done in the past two years here. I also feel that I can do more though. I have the things that I need, but in life there is also of wants, and I want a lot for my son! I want to eventually have a completely steady place to call home, that I will never have to leave. I want a house, with a fenced in yard, with a play set. I want my son to be in great schools. I want to live life to the fullest, and keep Skyler happy and healthy for me to get the wants in life, it is all one step at a time. During my first step, which was here at Marguerite's Place, I did a lot to get the things I need in life, and now I would like to keep saving my money so that in a few years I can start getting some things Skyler and I want, like a home!

Deanna's Story

Before I came to Marguerite's Place my life was very upsetting. My mother had thrown me out because I was using drugs and I was staying temporarily with my alcoholic father in an unhealthy environment of verbal and physical abuse. I had a boyfriend who was also using drugs,so the entire picture was bad. Every day was some kind of screaming match and it was awful. When I thought about it, I realized my life had been in this mess for almost ten years. Finally, on August 1 2006 I checked myself in to an outpatient program and quit using drugs. Then, in November, I found out I was pregnant. I was sooo happy. This was what I always wanted: a clean and healthy life and pregnancy. It also made me realize I was thinking and acting for two people now and I knew this baby could not grow up around drugs and alcohol. I tried talking with the baby's father and gave him six months to pull things together for himself the way I had. If it worked, I hoped we could get an apartment and be a family. When nothing changed, I knew I had to get help. I had an interview at Marguerite's Place when I was seven months pregnant. After talking with the caseworker I knew this would be a chance of a lifetime and resolved that if they had a spot for me I would make the most of it. My beautiful baby girl, Alexia Angelina, was born on June 25th, 2007. Then and now, she is the love and inspiration of my life, the most precious thing I had ever seen. I had to wait a while and it wasn't easy, but I stayed clean and kept hope and moved in to Marguerite's Place in January 2008. I have had so much help, support and love since I came here. Since I moved in I have earned my GED, quit smoking, kept up with my therapy and part time job, and received a certificate in medical terminology. Now I am working on a certificate in medical billing. I never thought I would be where I am today and I truly believe that Marguerite's Place had a huge part in helping me get here. I have learned how to live independently, get connected with the Nashua Housing Authority to be considered for permanent housing, and I've even started saving money so I'm ready for that day when it comes. I never thought I would achieve so much.

Kerry's Story

I wanted to thank Marguerite's Place for all that you've done for me and my sons. I will never be able to truly express in words the amount of gratitude I feel for you all. When I came here I was at a very low place in my life. I had been out of work for over a year and about to lose my apartment. Until that point, I had been supporting my children without any help for seven years. When I was no longer able to do that, I felt like I was failing as a mother. I went from being such a positive person to being so pessimistic in such a short time. My children mean the world to me; they are the reason I exist. I was willing to do whatever was asked of me to be able to support them, but I felt all alone. I don't think people truly understand how hard it is to be a single parent. Financially yes, but more than that is the emotional drain and stress of having to do it all on your own. There is no one to share your worries and concerns with. It can feel unendurable to carry on with the normal daily functions of life, when you don't know if you're soon going to be homeless. I didn't know how I was going to pay the rent and keep the electricity on, but I still had to get up everyday and go to work, or school, or both. Not to mention having to deal with the violence from my sons' father. I didn't feel safe for myself, yet I still had to protect them. Dealing with these concerns is difficult for anyone, but to have to also be a mother, and keep these burdens off of the children is near impossible. "The heavier the load you have to carry, the harder it is to take each step." I was so tired and discouraged from carrying this load all by myself. Then I came to Marguerite's Place, Inc. I truly consider myself blessed to be here. Everyone is so nice and helpful. In the two months I've lived here I feel like I've already accomplished so much. I've already received my GED and a certificate for Accounting. Before I came here my goal was to simply make it through the day. Now, with your help, I am setting real goals and actually saving a little money. Not only have you helped to lighten my load by alleviating some of my burdens, it's now easier for me to carry what's left because I no longer have to carry it alone. If all you had done was given us a place to live, that would have been more than enough. For that I would have been eternally grateful. But you all have done so much more. My whole attitude has changed, I'm positive again and confident in my parenting abilities. I no longer feel alone. I believe as long as you have hope, you can go on and things can get better. Thank you all, so much, for giving me back my hope!