A 41-year-old single mother of five with health issues, Carmen was a seventh-grade dropout who lived on the streets and had become a ward of the court when she was first introduced to SNAP. She’d earned her GED, but struggled with drug addiction and had lost custody of her children. She set her goal high: get healthy, obtain an education and, most importantly, raise her children in a happy, healthy environment.

Through SNAP’s Homeless and Economic Development programs, Carmen found housing and was connected with resources that helped her with her addiction. She took life skills classes. She worked hard to become financially stable and repay her old debts. She enrolled as a student at Spokane Community College and, one by one, was able to regain custody of her children.  

Despite some financial setbacks, Carmen left SCC and enrolled at Whitworth University where, on May 18, 2008, she graduated with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. She now plans to enroll in a Master’s of Social Work program at Eastern Washington University.

Her children are now doing well in school and are active in many activities. Carmen is employed at Center Point, a social and leisure center for people with disabilities. Her new goal is to give back by helping others overcome challenges like the ones she faced, and overcame.