Breaking the Cycle

We believe in the power of long-term relationships to create lasting change. We also believe that when families are supported, children thrive. One of the most meaningful examples of this truth comes from a mother in our program who is writing a new chapter for herself and her four children.

This mother is the third generation in her family to experience trauma. A survivor of domestic violence and currently raising her children as a single parent while their father is incarcerated, her path has not been easy. And yet, her story is not defined by hardship. It is defined by growth, courage, and an unwavering commitment to building a better future for her family.

When her daughter Ana* joined Friends of the Children – Coachella Valley, she was quiet and withdrawn, struggling academically and socially. But with the steady support of her professional mentor, Belinda, Ana began to blossom. She started raising her hand in class, grew more confident in her reading, and began to discover her voice.

Not long after Ana entered the program, the family came to the attention of Child Protective Services. Their living space—a converted garage—was cluttered and unsafe, and the children were often left to care for themselves while their mother worked. CPS had enough cause to consider removing the children from the home.

But what happened next speaks to the power of partnership and prevention.

When CPS learned about the family’s involvement with us, they reached out to their team. They spoke with Belinda and our Program Director, Cecelia, who shared how the family had already begun making changes. Ana was thriving in school, the family had begun therapy, and mom was actively working to improve their circumstances.

Instead of removing the children, CPS placed the family on a three-month improvement program—and we got to work.

With guidance from Belinda and Cecelia, the family met every requirement. They helped connect them to childcare, therapy, and a support program for domestic violence survivors. They brought in trusted community partners to transform the home: Junky Monkey helped clear out clutter, Sherwin-Williams donated paint to refresh the space and remove visible reminders of the past, and Habitat for Humanity provided a blade-less fan to keep the kids cool and safe. Our staff also built bunk beds so each child could have a place of their own.

The apartment that had once been considered unfit is now a true home. A place of peace, comfort, and possibility.

Throughout it all, the mother showed up with determination and love. She shifted her work schedule to be home more with the kids, and Grandma stepped in to help with supervision. The children are now thriving in school and therapy. And Mom is set to graduate from the improvement program in the coming weeks.

This story is a testament to what can happen when a family is given not judgment, but support. It is proof that foster care prevention is possible when communities come together and when organizations can walk alongside families through life’s hardest moments.

We are proud of this family and grateful for the partners who helped make this transformation possible. Most of all, we are inspired by one mother’s decision to break the cycle and build something new. Not just for herself, but for the generations that follow.