Jaidan, Colorado

Becoming a Mother Changed Everything

My path to motherhood wasn’t easy. I spent years without stable housing and survived domestic violence.

For a long time, I was just trying to make it through the day. But becoming a mother changed everything. It gave me a reason to keep going and a reason to believe in a better future.

Believing in babies means believing in growth, even when the beginning is hard.

When Systems Break Trust and Then Help Repair It

When my first son was born, I was scared and alone. My family lives far away, and I didn’t understand what was happening in the hospital. Decisions were made quickly, and my son entered foster care. Losing that early bond broke my heart, and it took time, treatment, and support to find my footing again.

I went to rehab. I completed treatment. I entered sober living. And I kept showing up.

Child welfare wasn’t just a system in my life. It became part of my circle of support. Through family-centered treatment, visitation, and caseworkers who saw my effort, I was able to stay connected to my child and work toward reunification.

I didn’t give up, even when everything felt stacked against me.

Jaidan

The Power of Support

What made the difference for my family wasn’t one program. It was many working together.

Shelter services that kept us safe. Medicaid covered medical care for my children and treatment for me. Food assistance programs that helped us meet basic needs. Therapies and early intervention services helped my son, who has complex medical needs, grow stronger.

Today, I’ve been housed for two years. I’m nearly three years in recovery. I have all three of my children with me. My life is not perfect, but it is stable, loving, and full of growth.

Believing in babies means making sure parents aren’t punished for needing help. It means strengthening child welfare so it protects bonds, not just monitors risk. It means investing in the supports that help families heal and stay together.

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