Sheila’s story

Sheila had a good job in Gainesville and was taking classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) when her life changed in an instant in March of 2016.

On their way home from the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, she and her daughter were involved in a car accident. Sheila was unhurt, but her daughter suffered serious injuries.“She had a young daughter and couldn’t take care of her, so I decided to leave my job in Gainesville and move here to Orlando to help her,” Sheila says.

After four months, it was time for Sheila to go, but she didn’t have a job, money or a place to stay. Her pastor suggested the Mission and she moved here in July of last year. “I think I had lost myself along the way, taking care of everybody else,” she says. “Once I got here, I was able to focus on getting myself together.”

Within a month, Sheila found a full-time job and has been building up her savings. She also resumed studying for her CNA exam and plans to get a job with Florida Hospital as soon as she passes. “I don’t know where I’d be without the Mission,” Sheila says. “They’re helping me build the foundation for a better life.”