The following letter is from a young woman's mother who wanted to express her appreciation to the Center for Great Expectations for the care of her daughter. She feels blessed. We too feel blessed to have had the honor of working with her daughter at a most fragile, yet miraculous, time of her life when she desperately needed our help.

Her daughter was homeless; living under trees at a park. When she arrived at the Center, her baby wasn't growing. He was underweight and malnourished. The struggle ahead would be challenging and filled with difficulties, but this young woman fought to save her child and herself.

None of us will ever forget her, this young woman who had started her journey of addiction at age 10. She came to us with multiple traumas and had no sense of a loving self, in denial that she had an addiction problem, and unaware that she was powerless in its grip. But she worked hard every day, and the staff came to admire and respect her. She gave birth to a baby boy in February, and though he was born addicted to methadone and had to remain in the hospital for several weeks, his progress was miraculous!

Each courageous woman, like Matty's mother, who enters our program is working to build a new self — body, heart, mind, and soul. This is why our new expanded program in our new facilities is so exciting. We will be able to give to our women a longer, much-needed time to be with us. They will be in a caring, therapeutic recovery program, built on empowering the inherent dignity and potential of every woman we meet.

Dear Staff,
How do I express my appreciation for all you did for my daughter and baby Matty? Having her in Great Expectations was an answered prayer knowing she and baby were safe and loved through the last 5 months of pregnancy. You are certainly a huge part of her success in bringing a healthy baby into this world.

This is a tribute to you for being there, not only for my daughter, but for all the girls that pass through your doors. Your dedication for the program certainly shines and I hope that one day the girls will see how you touched so many lives. Having you and this program is the best possible chance these girls have to make a good life for themselves and their families. I wish there were more people like you who put their blood, sweat and tears into their role, and support each girl unconditionally. I am glad I had the opportunity of knowing you and the staff at Great Expectations, which will remain forever in my heart.

Here's to you and all the wonderful staff for all their encouragement and support.

A grateful parent