I See Things In A Different Light.

Sharlene's Story

Sharlene swears that things will be different for her boys.  Drueding Center has given her the opportunity to live up to that commitment.

Sharlene’s broken childhood took her from a mother who was an addict and an uncle who raped her to seven foster families.  After dropping out of school, she became trapped in another destructive cycle, with a boyfriend who was selling drugs.  At 20, now a mother herself, Sharlene took her sons and moved to a shelter.

Misfortune struck again when illness hospitalized her sons and the family lost their spot at the shelter.  Luckily, neighbors told them about Drueding Center, where the family found a fresh start.  More than a home, Drueding has empowered Sharlene with support, security, a good education, and brand-new life skills in parenting and financial literacy.

“Before coming to Drueding,” says Sharlene, “I never thought I could make it.  But the staff here has provided me with hope and encouragement to move forward.  When things are bad—and I’ve had some bad times—I’ve learned to see things in a different light.  I am determined, and strong enough to do what is needed for myself and my children.”


More About Sharlene

Age: 20

Mother to:
Sons Jahid and Saddiq

Plans to:
Obtain her high school diploma and become certified as a medical assistant; make sure her kids have a quality education.

Loves to:
Write poems, spend time with her children, skateboard, style hair, and read books.

Hopes to:
Live a happy life, be a huge success in both work and family life, write a book, and one day completely heal from all the pain that has marked her past.

Sharlene's Family Advocate says...
"Sharlene is a bright and energetic young lady and a caring mother. She has the potential to succeed in her endeavors. The sky's the limit for Sharlene!"