Life got hard for Darcey when she was seven months pregnant with her son, Gabe. She needed a place to stay, and while her sister helped look for options, it wasn’t manageable to live together, and there was no other family to turn to. That search brought Darcey from Hot Springs to Our House—a move that would change the trajectory of Darcey and Gabe’s lives.
As a new mom, living in the Shelter brought structure. “It was a very positive experience,” she remembers. “They helped me get into a routine and taught me skills for taking care of Gabe like safe sleep.” Newly sober, that routine and stability helped Darcey stay clean and stay focused. Darcey used the Career Center to get connected to employment, and she was able to stay in her job for over three years, a big accomplishment.
After several months in the Shelter, Darcey worked with her case manager to put in applications for housing, and she and Gabe moved into their own apartment where they remain today. Along the way, Darcey has been working toward her associate degree at Shorter College in criminal justice, with plans to graduate at the end of the year! Darcey hopes to become a probation officer to help others navigate challenges she has personally experienced.
Gabe has been in our Bright Beginnings program since he was nine weeks old, and he’s turning three this month! “You can tell all of the teachers care so much about his learning and his abilities,” Darcey says. “They care about his safety, and they’ve helped us with shoes and even clothing when he needed them. They notice and do these things on their own, which means a lot.” Gabe receives therapy services weekly, including speech therapy. “They’re teaching him patience, concentration, and how to communicate,” Darcey says. “He lets me know that he loves all of his teachers.” Another important resource for Darcey is our on-site children’s health clinic: “If you’re a single mom and you can’t take off work, it’s so hard to go to the doctor.” Our clinic with Arkansas Children’s allows Gabe and so many other children to be seen on site during the day while their parents work.
Looking back, Darcey knows her journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. “If I hadn’t come to Our House, I’d probably still be homeless, and I might not even have my son,” she says. “Here, you can come in with nothing, and they’ll give you everything you need—blankets, pillows, a safe place for your children to play, and people who truly care about your well-being. They take the time to tell you how proud they are of you.”
Now, as she balances work, school, and motherhood, Darcey is focused on building a career and a life she can be proud of.