FRIDA

“AHO was there in my time of need.”

“Because of AHO & Zara, I am not on the streets and have been able to follow my dreams of joining the Job Core for a career as a nurse. I am now in a 2-year program there & have permanent housing & am in school training to become a nurse.”

My name is Frida and I’m 25 years old. I was referred to AHO from the Center for Domestic Peace when I was 24 years old and had no place to go. The Center only provides housing for 30 days & I would have been homeless without the support of AHO.

Because of AHO & Zara, I am not on the streets and have been able to follow my dreams of joining the Job Core for a career as a nurse. I am now in a 2-year program there & have permanent housing & am in school training to become a nurse.

When Zara met me, I was under a lot of stress with headaches, sore throats, motion sickness, fear of being alone, not wanting to go outside, and difficulty sleeping and eating. One of the first things Zara did was meet me in a café over coffee and listen. She learned that I needed a cell phone, which AHO got for me so I could make appointments and follow up to get the right medical and counseling care. For the Job Core to accept me, my arm had to be healed. There was a 2 ½ month period, where I had no safe place to live until my arm healed. AHO was there in my time of need connecting me with one of their host families that offer youth a room in their home for youth like me. Without this help, I would have been on the streets without the support I needed to enter the Job Core.

I am so grateful to Zara and AHO who found Kate & Chuck (my AHO host family) who welcomed me into their home like I was their daughter. Through AHO, I was helped not only with a safe place to live, but also with getting the right doctors and physical therapists, having my records transferred from the County I was abused in, and finding a counselor that I could feel comfortable sharing some of my feelings along with much needed clothing. AHO continued to support my host family and me through those difficult times so I felt safe and supported.

I have been at the Job Core now since June 2015, but I would not have this opportunity without the support AHO provided until my arm healed and the Job Core could accept me. Most of all, the patience, love and support of Zara and AHO continues to help me heal.

Today I still have the support of AHO and my host family in Marin whenever I need it. I am happy. My life is getting better. Thank you to listening to my story. Please donate to AHO to help other youth like me succeed. [Back to All Youth Stories]