Ashley came to our Family Resource Center in Coffee County in crisis. Exhaustion and desperation were evident on her face as she walked in. She had lost custody of her older child after struggling with addiction and was finding it difficult to care for her newborn on her own. Her baby was not properly secured in its carrier, reflecting how overwhelmed she felt. She was seeking anything—food, rental assistance, guidance—that could help her find stability.

That’s when she met Penny, one of our dedicated caseworkers, who enrolled her in the MIHOW (Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker) program, which serves low-income families, pregnant women, and mothers with young children, providing them with vital support to foster healthy child development and family stability. Through home visits and peer mentoring, mothers like Ashley receive guidance on parenting, nutrition, child health, and personal well-being, along with connections to essential resources that promote self-sufficiency and a brighter future for their children.

While Ashley didn’t talk about her struggles with substance abuse at first, she gradually opened up to Penny about her parenting fears and her battle with addiction. After this turning point, Penny helped Ashley enter Renewal House’s residential recovery program for mothers in Nashville, where she is receiving the care and structure necessary to heal while caring for her newborn.

The road ahead is not easy. Ashley still faces the challenge of maintaining stability while in recovery and carrying the pain of being separated from her older child. With no close family nearby, her support system is limited—but through the love and guidance she has found, she is learning to stand on her own.

Penny continues to check in with Ashley regularly, offering encouragement and reminding her she is not alone. With every step forward, Ashley is proving her resilience and determination. She is working toward creating a stable, loving home for her baby and hopes to reunite with her older child one day.

Ashley’s journey is one of courage, transformation, and the power of love, hope, and healing. We are proud of her progress and will continue walking alongside her as she builds a brighter future.