Story 8

Hello, my name is Dana Landin, and I am a single mother of four. I have been a part of Precious Lamb for about 16 wonderful years. I am the oldest participating parent of Precious Lamb, and I feel so honored to share a small piece of my testimony and time with this amazing organization.

I was born to a heroin-addicted mother and was taken away from her at the age of two to be placed in the foster care system, where I grew up until the age of 15. In those placements, I began my meth addiction at the age of 12, desperately looking to fit in anywhere, to feel loved in any way, and to feel like I belonged to something. From that point on, my life was a huge mess, and I had lost myself. I had no sense of direction, no hope, and no one to love or help me. I looked to men for security and to feel loved, even just for a moment, and in that process, I had my four children.

In 2005, I was able to get into a program in Long Beach, and the childcare provider they referred me to was Precious Lamb. What a blessing! During my time at Precious Lamb, my children and I were so welcomed and blessed tremendously. Not only do the teachers teach our children, but they also love and guide them. At different times, two of my four children attended Precious Lamb. Both of my boys loved the teachers, and we still go back to see them—especially Mrs. Cricket.

The teachers at Precious Lamb go above and beyond their duties. Our kids come in broken and sometimes hard to deal with, but the teachers never give up on them. They constantly reach out to us parents as well. I can remember a time when I was homeless and staying at a motel with my children with no food or money. Ms. Lailanie bought us food, sat with us, and ate. I remember feeling so loved and special that she would share a meal with my kids and me in that run-down motel.

Growing up, well into my adulthood, I never thought I’d be able to own a car. But Precious Lamb helped me get my first car. When that car stopped working years later, they still helped me with another one. I’m only sharing a few of the many times that kindness and love were extended to us through the teachers at Precious Lamb.

To this day, we still receive texts and calls from the teachers, just to say they love us and are praying for my little family. My boys who attended are now 20 and 16. The fact that they still reach out after all this time shows their love and dedication to our children.

Thank you for all you do, Precious Lamb.