After graduation, Nicole plans on entering the Transitional Living Program. She wants to give back to the Mission.

She’s finally getting her life back

Growing up, Nicole had “two homes” – splitting her time between staying with her father in Riverside and her mother in Los Angeles. She received a bachelor’s degree in international economics and French from UCLA. Years after graduation, Nicole experienced a “mental health breakdown,” brought on by unexpected life circumstances.

“I always kept a really good job, but in 2021 we were illegally evicted. It was really hard to get into a place permanently after that,” Nicole shared. “My husband and I separated, and I began to rent Airbnbs, but it was so expensive to do that all the time, especially in LA.”

Once her housing situation became perilous, Nicole sent her three daughters to live with her estranged husband. She knew it was the safest solution for her girls, but the decision took its toll on Nicole.

“Everything played a role in my mental health breakdown. I was unhoused, I didn’t have my children with me, I wasn’t getting enough rest, I wasn’t taking good care of myself – it was a recipe for disaster.”

Nicole went to jail. While there, she was referred to Mental Health Diversion, a program which allows individuals to complete treatment instead of serving jailtime.

“The Mission was the only program that would accept me,” Nicole said. “I really needed help; I was really motivated. By the grace of God, my social worker found this program. My attorney had to fight for me to be here.”

While at the Mission, Nicole is focusing on caring for herself in ways that she previously neglected. “I’m working on my self-care spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially,” she said. “I take my medication religiously, I go to my appointments, to church, I’m in therapy, and I meditate and pray with God.”

After graduation, Nicole plans on entering the Transitional Living Program. She wants to secure employment, a car, and reclaim her independence. She plans on helping the Mission any way she can but is determined to maintain the “excellent self-care that I desperately need,” Nicole said. “I don’t want to ever forget how important it is to take really good care of myself.”

She’s also hopeful of reconciling with her children. “I have three beautiful daughters I’m waiting for the Lord to reunite me with. It’s why the program is so important to me – it’s a way of showing my progress and that I’m getting my life back and I’m recovering.”

Nicole encourages others who are struggling to “keep the faith. When you think that you’re going to give up, you never know what tomorrow is going to bring. God wakes you up every day because he has a purpose for you that day.

“Sometimes you go through something so you can help someone else. Praise the Lord through it and watch and see how He’ll deliver you.”

After graduation, Nicole plans on entering the Transitional Living Program. She wants to give back to the Mission.