From everything Sarah Eckenrode heard about Joshua Station, she knew this was the place where she wanted to rebuild her life. In fact, as soon as she heard she would be accepted into the program as a resident, she named her unborn son Joshua.
Sarah remembers being told not to worry about bringing anything—just clothes and Joshua. When Sarah walked into her Joshua Station residence for the first time, she was overcome. “I just cried. I couldn’t believe how beautifully decorated it was, personalized for my baby son and for me. The crib was just his size. I said, ‘Joshua, this is our new home!’” And she says the support at Joshua Station was even beyond what she expected. “I just love it here.”
“Sarah was very uncertain and insecure at first about how to do life, and to parent her son,” remembers her family advocate Ana Reyes. “She had good desires and intentions, but often didn’t follow through with her plans. She was plagued with self-doubt. But she did keep asking questions and asking for help, especially with parenting her son who she loves very much.” Little by little, she gained confidence. The confidence turned into resolve.
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Everyone including Sarah knows that she has come an incredibly long way since those early months. She is relentless in doing what it takes both for Joshua and herself—and now consistently follows through. “It’s really cute to see them together as mother and son,” Ana says. “Joshua is always smiling, playing peek-a-boo with me and others, and waving.” With insights from staff and a parenting coach, Sarah realizes she needs to help Joshua, now age 2, become more independent. She’s easing him into being ok out of her sight.
Sarah recently had a large obstacle arise in her pursuit of a career in the medical field. After nearly completing training in phlebotomy, a problem in her school registration was discovered – rendering her coursework invalid. Sarah pressed on, working with our employment and education specialist Maria Sierra for advocacy through the issue, but still hit a dead end with the school. Sarah was devastated. And undeterred. “Nothing is going to stop me from my goal,” she declared to all of us in a recent community meeting. “Before, this would have brought me down and I would have given up. Not now, no way.” She is keeping her head up applying to other programs, with her fellow residents cheering her on.
“Sarah’s always saying how grateful she is for all that we’ve done for her,” Ana says. “But I remind her SHE is the one who has done the hard work. I’m just so proud of her. Her positivity and determination is inspiring to us all.”
