Faith in the Storm: Christina’s Journey to a Brighter Future

Meet Christina

Christina’s story begins in Los Angeles, where she was born, but her early years were spent in Oakland and Berkeley. She lived a life marked by challenges but also by resilience. Christina’s family life has been complex. Her father, who lived in Texas, struggled with heroin addiction, which led to his homelessness. Her mother, a psychologist, provided stability during her early years, but Christina’s home life was often stressful. She frequently stayed with her grandmother and mother, who both played vital roles in her upbringing. Christina’s resilience extended to her education and career. She attended college, earning a degree in business administration and finance. Eventually, she moved to Texas, following her heart after meeting a man she fell in love with. Thinking back on that time in her life, Christina recalled, “I moved to Texas about 18 years ago, and I met a guy, fell in love. It was perfect. It was beautiful.” She worked as an accountant and later took on a managerial role at Chewy, which she found less stressful. Unfortunately, her struggles were far from over.

Christina’s Journey

Unfortunately, Christina’s relationship turned abusive, forcing Christina to make a difficult decision. She eventually left her boyfriend and returned to California, seeking refuge with her mother. Christina fell ill, which led to a period of instability as she moved from place to place, searching for a sense of stability and peace. Christina’s health challenges began to mount when she suffered a stroke, which severely affected her speech and mobility. She had to relearn basic functions like walking and talking, a daunting task that she bravely undertook. However, the place she was staying at during this time did not provide the care she needed, leading to another serious health issue that required emergency surgery. The staff at Culver City Hospital performed the surgery, saving her life. It was here that Christina was first introduced to Harbor Care, a referral she initially hesitated to accept. She stated, “They [Culver City Hospital] took very good care of me. They didn’t want me to go to where I was before. So, what they did was they looked all around, and they found you guys, Harbor Care.” Despite her reservations, Christina eventually found Harbor Care to be a place of healing and support, a decision that changed her life. “I didn’t want to come at first. I didn’t know anything about the place. I ended up putting my faith in God, and it’s been a blessing being here.” Christina fondly recalled.

How Harbor Helped Christina

Harbor Care has been a time of restoration for Christina, providing her with the support and community she needed to regain stability. She found a nurturing environment where friendships blossomed, and the kindness of others helped her through challenging times. As she prepares to move to a program that assists domestic violence survivors, Christina remains grateful for the care she received and the lessons in self-care that she plans to carry forward. The dedicated staff at Harbor Care, including case manager Jose, have been instrumental in Christina’s recovery, offering unwavering support and professionalism. Their efforts, particularly in helping her connect to her social services and navigate transitional housing options, have given her hope for the future. With access to essential benefits like food stamps and support in securing Social Security, Christina has found strength in her faith and is determined to regain her independence. Her long-term goal is to live with her mother and eventually return to work, possibly at Chewy. Christina advises others to choose Harbor Care for its excellent care and supportive community. She emphasizes the importance of staying true to one’s faith during difficult times. She stated, “I’ve learned that in my bad times praise Him [God], and now in my good times I’m going to praise him, no matter what. I got through it because of Him, so He needs to be praised for the outcome.” She expresses profound gratitude for the positive impact Harbor Care has had on her life, guiding her toward a brighter future.