From Hardship to Hope: Juliana’s Second Chance Begins at Marisol Homes

(Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities)

At just 23 years old, Juliana has lived through more challenges than many face in a lifetime. Her journey has been shaped by hardship and resilience and by a growing belief that God is not finished with her story.

“I’ve never been in a shelter before, and I came to Marisol Homes after running away from work release. I’m currently on probation, but I’m committed to turning my life around,” Juliana shared.

Her path has not been easy. At 15, she became a mother to a beautiful little girl who is now 7 years old. Losing custody when her daughter was just two remains one of the most painful moments of her life. At the time, Juliana was living on the streets and selling drugs. Briefly after this, she survived a car accident. Those losses drove her deeper into addiction.

Juliana first started using drugs at 14 after her parents separated. When she became a mother, she stopped because she wanted to be better for her daughter. But losing custody shattered her sense of purpose, and she fell back into addiction. For years, she didn’t believe she was worthy of healing. She couldn’t find the motivation to fight for a better life because she didn’t feel she deserved one.

Everything shifted when she learned she was pregnant again, this time with a baby boy. Something inside her awakened. She felt God was giving her another chance to be a mother and to rebuild her life with hope.

Coming to Marisol Homes, a ministry of Catholic Charities that supports pregnant women and mothers with young children, was a turning point. She calls August 7th her stability date — the day she began finding balance, peace and faith again for the first time since she was 14 years old.

Through supportive case management and classes, Juliana is gaining the tools, structure and encouragement she needs to rebuild her life. She sees this as her second opportunity to become the mother her children deserve. Every choice she makes now is for her baby and because she finally truly believes she is worthy of a new beginning.

At Marisol Homes, she has found space to heal and to believe in her future. She finally trusts that with God’s help, she can become the woman he created her to be.

Her daughter was adopted into a loving family last year, and she gave birth to baby Nicolas in the middle of December.