“At my darkest point, I didn’t care if I lived or died,”
– Jamilla, HFS Famlily Works Client
Jamilla experienced childhood trauma. When she was nine, her grandmother—the stable adult in her home—died, leaving her with an abusive father and a mother to whom she had no bond. As a result, she engaged in destructive behaviors and fled from home. “I wanted to be anywhere other than where I was,” Jamilla expressed. “I felt unwanted and unworthy.”
She became a ward of the state at 14 and proceeded to run away from group homes in which she was placed. At 18, Jamilla tried methamphetamine for the first time. Although highly addictive, it masked her pain and helped her feel as if she were free.
When she was 20, she entered into an abusive relationship and discovered she was pregnant. She became a mom, but her drug use had her trapped in an unhealthy cycle, with frequent incarcerations. As a result, her daughter was placed in the care of Child Protective Services.
“At my darkest point, I didn’t care if I lived or died…but after my daughter was born, there was a spark in me, I wanted to change,” Jamilla said.
Jamilla’s path led her to HFS and the Nebraska Family Works program. There, she reunited with her daughter and the process of healing began. she took ownership of her life and decisions, and she received the treatment she deserved.
Jamilla is now living the life she imagined. “I have come so far … and it has been so rewarding, she said with a wide smile. “I could not have done it without Heartland Family Service and Family Works.”
Her advice to anyone struggling, “There is hope, and you don’t have to be alone!”’
While Heartland Family Service aims for this community of opportunity, using it to guide our plans and actions, we know that there will always be someone in need, and those needs are always evolving.
Our work, both on the individual and systemic level, is never done.
That’s why we are inviting our entire community to share this vision — because a world where everyone can needs everyone’s unflinching support. Our client base is not lacking. Our staff is skilled and ready. Now, you can help us expand possibilities.