A Painful Past
Breaking generational cycles isn’t easy—especially when unhealthy patterns are all you’ve ever known.
Discipline always looked the same for Teresa growing up.
“Yelling and hitting,” she said. “I knew it wasn’t right, but it was all I knew. That’s how I was raised, and it’s what I thought parenting was supposed to look like.”
A New Beginning with Hope
Years ago, Teresa came to Hope Women’s Center seeking parenting support and emotional healing. At the time, she was overwhelmed and unsure of her parenting, but she knew she wanted something better for her kids.
After attending a few parenting classes, she began to understand that there was a different way to raise children. She discovered that parenting could be rooted in respect, patience, and connection.
“Hope helped me understand I didn’t have to repeat what I grew up with,” she said.
A Pause in the Journey
But then life happened. Teresa had a baby and couldn’t come to the center for a while. A full year passed, and even though she hadn’t participated at Hope, the parenting lessons stayed with her. She was still trying to apply what she had learned.
Going Deeper with ĒMA
Now she’s back—this time through our Every Mother’s Advocate (ĒMA) program. She’s getting the chance to go even deeper.
“I’m so thankful I can be part of ĒMA now,” she told us recently. “It’s helping me with my oldest daughter, and I’m sharing what I’m learning with my cousins too.”
Breaking Generational Cycles Through Support
Her story is a reminder that healing takes time—but also that lasting growth is possible, even when the circumstances aren’t perfect.
“I could only do what I learned from my mom,” Teresa said. “But now I’m learning how to do things differently. I want to be the mom I want my daughter to be someday.”
That’s the kind of growth we get to witness at Hope. It’s not always dramatic. Sometimes it’s one woman making small, intentional changes that transform her entire family. That’s what healing looks like.
You Can Be Part of the Change
Your support helps make these life-changing stories possible.
Donate today or learn more about our parenting classes and programs to be part of a mother’s transformation story.
(For confidentiality, images and names do not reflect this narrative.)