Maritza's story of Hope & Resilience

MARITZA’S POWERFUL TESTIMONY is a story of resilience
and hope that reflects the real impact of your support. Her
journey from hardship to becoming the remarkable young
woman she is today is a testament to the life-changing work
you make possible.

When she first came to MEND in June 2023 on a welfare-towork
opportunity, Maritza was already a changed woman.
She’d just finished a 21/2-year prison sentence and her 19-year
battle with addiction and gang association was over…. But
restarting her life was proving to be the hardest challenge of all.
“I only spoke slang and had never worked in an office,” she says.
She felt unsure, distrustful and overwhelmed about where
to start.

But, at MEND she found the help she needed. Maritza shares:
“Everyone is so kind and patient with me. I wanted to be
better…. I wanted to succeed and do the good stuff but didn’t
know where to start.”
Her complete story lies buried still and is hers to tell. But what
we know is that Maritza had a caring and loving childhood
until the age of 12 when dependence on substances became
a way to escape. The gang became her family. “I felt welcome
and belonged.”
In her early twenties she became pregnant and gave birth to
her, now 10-year-old, son.

“I wasn’t ready to be a mom, so my mother took him,” she says.
“Everything clicked when I got pregnant with my second
child…. a daughter. I was still struggling between I’m not
ready and I’m pregnant and I need to stop but I want one
more day… one more day.”

On November16, 2020 Maritza quit drugs “cold turkey.” It’s one
of her proudest moments.
Though she had a prison sentence to serve she felt like her life
was finally headed in the right direction.
Two and a half years later she was at MEND hoping to be
accepted for work experience. She says: “I wanted to find a
place where I can get to be a better person.”

Maritza completed her work experience in July 2024, applied
for a job as the “Welcome Desk Coordinator” and got it!
As she puts it, every day is a gift now. “At MEND they serve all
people with diverse needs, and I see myself in them. When I
leave work, I feel I made a difference giving back.”
Maritza is the first point of contact for people who are often in
crisis.

With a warm smile and positive spirit, she is making a
difference in their lives thanks to people like you.
“I’m finally positive about my future and that of my children.
I’m married to my daughter’s father and my son is back living
with me. We’re taking one day at a time but
I’m so happy about what’s in store for us.”