Meet Regina, A Cara Success Story
She’s transforming her life, thanks to your support.
“I first came to Cara in April 2014. I was just out of a recovery home and was staying with friends when one of them recommended Cara.
“I was ready for my next chapter and I knew it was time for me to change.
“Cara taught me to never relax. When you relax you get stuck and once you achieve your goal your vision gets blurry. You have to keep going or else you are settling for less than your best.
“My son motivated me. I wanted him to finish high school so we made a bet that he would finish high school and I would finish Cara. I had to show him that if his mama can do it, he can do it, too. And he did!
“I got placed on a Cleanslate crew and worked with them for a year. At that time I was also going on a lot of group interviews and I would see everyone else get a job but never me. I would get so mad, but I had to keep telling myself to stick with it.
“So many times I wanted to leave, but I talked to my peers and they reminded me that we are doing this together.
“Finally, I got a job with CTA. I was with them for two years. Then on April 12, 2016, I was on my way to work when I had a heart attack on the bus.
“It took almost a year to walk again. I had to resign from the CTA because the work was too stressful on me.
“That was when I knew I had to change once again.
“I started to eat better. I worked hard in my physical therapy. I even quit smoking! It’s been more than a year without a cigarette.
“And most importantly, I was ready to get back to work again. I’d been on benefits most of my adult life and I didn’t want that ever again.
“I called Cara again and through Cara Connects, I was placed in a position with Catholic Charities as a maintenance worker. Today, I’ve been there for more than a year and have had two promotions. Catholic Charities is like a family. I love my coworkers. They hired me, they care about me, they love me.
“My son is so proud of me and everything I’ve accomplished. Miracles can happen at Cara, but you have to stick and stay and create them yourself.”
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