Story 9

I came to Precious Lamb with my 22-month-old son, Jaime, after getting him out of the foster care system. I was a newly recovering addict with little experience in how to be a great mother in my new situation. I wanted to give Jaime everything he needed and stop the cycle of trauma he had known in his prior months of life. Precious Lamb was our salvation.

The program gave me constant support in the everyday challenges I came across. They never once judged me for my questions but instead guided me through their process so I could mimic the same language, behavior, and discipline models at home for consistency for Jaime and myself.

As the years passed and Jaime grew older, he developed some challenging behavior issues. Precious Lamb never scolded me but instead supported me and directed me to outside help to address our needs. I spent six months in weekly play therapy for Jaime and myself, and it worked wonders for us as a family unit. During our time at Precious Lamb, I was able to return to school with the help and encouragement of Precious Lamb staff. Miss Tanesha guided me through the enrollment and financial aid process, answering all my questions and listening with an open heart to my fears. Again, with ZERO judgment. They believed in me, and once I received my AA degree, they encouraged me to keep going.

I am currently working on my Bachelor’s Degree at CSUDH and will graduate in 2024!

Without Precious Lamb’s guidance, care, and passion for our success as a family, I don’t know where I would be. I am grateful to have known and continue to be a part of this place that helps those who need direction and care, without judgments of their past or prior poor life decisions. I am not who I used to be, and Precious Lamb helped me build a foundation to provide a loving, stable, and nurturing household for myself and my family.

Hope is my middle name, and years ago, I was told that HOPE stands for “Helping Others Prepare for Eternity.”Precious Lamb is that HOPE for me and so many others. I am honored to pay that HOPE forward with everything I have learned and gained from them.

Thank you, Precious Lamb!

~ Monica Foafoa