A Mother’s Promise: How Jane Found Healing and Home

The Beginning of Motherhood

For years, doctors told Jane she would not be able to have children. She had accepted that fate until life took an unexpected turn.

Her daughter, Frankie, was conceived through sexual assault, a reality that brought immense pain. “It was not how I ever imagined becoming a parent,” Jane said. “But once I knew she was coming into this world, I made a promise. Frankie would have the love, stability, and emotional safety that I never had.”

A Childhood in Survival Mode

Jane grew up on the inner west side of San Antonio, Texas, in a strict household. Her father, a military veteran, struggled with untreated PTSD, and affection was rare. Survival often meant pushing emotions aside.

That mindset shaped Jane into a fighter who was resilient but angry. By her mid-20s, she was tired of carrying that anger. “I was tired of being known as the aggressive one,” she said. “I wanted more for myself.”

Hitting Rock Bottom

When Frankie was born, Jane was determined to change. But financial struggles weighed heavily. At one point, she and her daughter lived in an apartment so run-down and infested with bugs that she dreaded going home.

“I would sit in my car while Frankie slept in the backseat and cry because I could not bear to walk inside,” Jane said.

Facing eviction, she searched for rental assistance and came across the Single Parent Family Program at Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS). She expected only a one-time payment but instead found stable housing, counseling, and a supportive community.

Finding Hope at PCHAS

Despite cultural stigma around seeking help, Jane committed to counseling. With guidance and encouragement, she learned to process emotions, set healthy boundaries, and begin breaking the cycle of trauma.

The program provided more than financial assistance. It gave Jane and Frankie the tools and support to heal and move forward.

A New Chapter of Healing and Hope

Two years later, Jane’s life looks very different. With a stable home and the support of counseling, she has created a strong foundation for her family’s future.

She now works at a nonprofit helping others who face similar struggles and is pursuing her degree to expand her impact even further. Most importantly, she has saved enough money to buy a home. Soon, she and Frankie will move into a place of their own, a home built on resilience, love, and the promise of a brighter future.

“I walked into this program with nothing,” Jane said. “And now, I am walking out with everything I dreamed of.”

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