At 17, Emily became a mother, and after her partner left, she faced the challenges of raising her young daughter alone with little support from family. “God, you gave me this amazing little girl, and I don’t feel like I’m enough for her.” Emily wanted to give her daughter the love and stability she never had growing up. “I wanted something different for my daughter,” she said. “I wanted to be there for her, to tell her ‘I love you,’ to read books to her. But after the separation, I lost all that. I realized I had brought her into the world in chaos.”
Overwhelmed, Emily reached out to her school therapist for help, and that’s when she learned about Father Taaffe Homes. “When I went to tour the Father Taaffe Homes, it felt like this is what I was longing for.” She instantly felt a connection and knew it would be the right place to learn how to raise her daughter in a safe and loving environment. On their first night, Emily remembers holding her daughter close and whispering, “Everything’s going to be okay. This is our new home.” Father Taaffe Homes offered Emily more than a safe place for her and her daughter; it gave her peace, encouragement, and a chance to rebuild her life. “Once I graduated, I was able to get an apartment, a car, and move in with my daughter,” she said. “It was from the hard work I put in.”
Now, Emily works for Father Taaffe Homes, the very place that helped her find hope and healing. She empathizes how much she loves working with the moms, “Whether they’re feeling empty, ashamed, alone, or not worthy… I’m right here telling them that’s not true.” Today, Emily’s life has come full circle. She is married and a proud mother of four, “The house is just full of great love.”
Emily is a reminder that with encouragement, support, and love- healing and growth are always possible.
