On a rainy November morning in 1999, Maria arrived at La Posada, Casa Central’s transitional housing program for homeless familes, scared but hopeful. Three months before, she had finally gathered the courage to leave her abusive husband in Columbia and begin a new life for her and her three children in Chicago.

At first the family stayed with friends, but after a short time they were asked to leave. Having little money and no place else to turn to, Maria arrived at Casa Central.

At La Posada, the family stayed in a private apartment, and Maria began learning English, computer skills and participating in La Posada’s Childcare trainings. Not only was Maria able to find a job after a few months and settle her family into their own home, she went on to earn a degree in Early Childhood education.

While her life is not without hardships, she now operates two Day Care facilities and her children are grown up and pursuing dreams of their own.