Angel's Story

Angel worked with our Street Outreach caseworkers for over a year while working on her addiction and on getting her son back. Here's her story in her own words:

"I originally became homeless because of domestic violence in 2017. I moved around the country a lot in this time, never finding housing and struggling with addiction. In early 2021, I had my first son (Hunter), the joy of my life. But in early 2023, I lost custody of my son due to my alcohol addiction.

In early 2024, we moved to Council Bluffs so that my son could live with family there. Meanwhile, I was living outside -- visiting my son as often as I could, struggling with addiction and trying to escape a toxic relationship. During that time, I met David and William with New Visions Homeless Services. Receiving services from New Visions was sometimes the only way I was able to eat, shower, or get clean clothes and supplies while trying to get on the right path so that I could be with my son again.

Living with family didn't end up working out, and Hunter was eventually moved back to Springfield MO. I had entered into treatment while in Council Bluffs but got out of treatment early so I could follow my son back to Springfield. New Visions supported me by paying for a bus ticket for me to get to Springfield in late May of 2025.

In Missouri, I resumed treatment and found a transitional living program for mothers and their children, where Hunter has been living with me ever since. It's been a long, hard road here and I'm so grateful every day that we made it!

I finally get to put my son to bed and wake him up. I take him to school and pick him up. Thank you so much, New Visions, for helping me every step along the way!

I hope that if there's someone going through something similar, they find inspiration in my story. Never give up, a miracle could be waiting just around the corner!"