Life was feeling quite dreary for Franceane before she learned about New Phoebe House Association. Her past made it difficult for her to find housing. On one fateful day in spring of 2016, a case manager from New Phoebe House happened to visit an acquaintance at another agency where Franceane was applying for housing. It was then that the case manager met Franceane and encouraged her to apply to New Phoebe House.

Franceane was accepted to New Phoebe House and moved in after completing inpatient treatment. It was the ninth transitional home she’d lived in, but this time it felt different. She had hope. Her sobriety and willingness to change are what she believes gave her that hope and helped her succeed at NPH.

Franceane knew how positively New Phoebe House was going to impact her life the first time she got in trouble at the House. Not many people consider getting reprimanded a positive situation, but Franceane had never been given the chance to redeem herself before. At NPH, even when she was in trouble, she was still supported by the staff and women in the House. This was a new experience for Franceane – those in her past had given up or turned their backs on her.

“It was meant for me to be here.”

The staff at New Phoebe House worked with Franceane and helped her overcome barriers to regain custody of her daughter. Francene is now comfortable being a mother. She is learning to understand her daughter’s needs and help her grow. She wants to be the best role model she can be for her daughter, and she recognizes that being a mother is much more than just having the title.

In addition to regaining partial custody of her daughter and maintaining her sobriety, Franceane was able to grow as a person during her time at New Phoebe House. She learned to talk about her past and to embrace her flaws without feeling ashamed. She learned to follow through with her commitments, and to avoid behaviors that might lead to relapse.

As she looks to the future, Franceane wants to give back. Whether that is through the handmade tutus shop she hopes to one day open, or by volunteering with troubled youth – we know she will have a positive impact on everyone she comes in touch with.

Throughout the difficult times in her life, Franceane has often been reminded of a verse from the Bible that reads: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11) She is in awe that “God rewarded me with New Phoebe House,” and said her soul cannot rest until she has the chance to give back to her community.