When Kristina arrived at Hope on Haven Hill (HHH), she knew the path ahead was daunting. Pregnant with her third child, Kristina entered HHH’s residential program full of both determination and trepidation. “I had been in and out of treatment for about 16 years,” Kristina recounts. “When I was given my options, Hope on Haven Hill sounded like the right fit for me. It felt like a new start.”

For six months, Kristina participated in HHH’s residential treatment program. She was happy to find that her hard work was paying off. “I really worked on myself while I was there,” she said. “I just surrendered. I stopped fighting myself on everything and I took the advice I was given.”

On July 4, 2021, Kristina gave birth to her daughter, Nevaeh. In early August she completed HHH’s residential program and moved into Abi’s Place recovery housing. While at Abi’s, Kristina participated in and completed HHH’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).

After completing IOP, Kristina continued to receive case management and counseling at HHH. Kristina continued working to achieve goals obtaining full-time employment. Staff and community volunteers worked with Kristina to prepare her for work, and in 2022, she was hired full-time at Liberty Mutual.

One of Kristina’s greatest challenges was finding permanent, affordable, safe housing. Even with a full-time job, the cost of area apartments put decent housing out of reach for her. Kristina felt she was doing all the things she needed to do to get back on her feet, but for every challenge she overcame, another appeared.

Just as her time at Abi’s Place was nearing its end, Kristina was thrilled to find out she would be one of the first two tenants at Camilla’s Place, HHH’s new rental property located adjacent to the new Center for Hope and Wellness. “This was something I was hoping for and I’m so grateful it worked out,” Kristina said. “I’ve created a recovery community here. If I moved out of Rochester, I would risk losing my job, childcare, and so many things I worked so hard to put in place.”

Kristina’s daughter Nevaeh loves their home at Camilla’s Place. Kristina also says she enjoys attending her Early Head Start classroom. “Early Head Start at Rochester Childcare is something I never would have known about without HHH. I love her teachers, and everyone there.”

Now that she is settled in her apartment, Kristina is setting new goals for herself. She would love to go back to school and gether bachelor’s degree, start saving money, and maybe one day own a house.

“My success is rooted in the help that Hope on Haven Hill gives,” said Kristina. “The difference that all of these people made in my life, I’m going to make in somebody else’s by giving back to other people who are struggling.”

During this season of giving, please consider a donation to support Hope On Haven Hill by clicking the donate button below. The impact of your support is felt well beyond the walls of our buildings. It ensures Hope On Haven Hill can provide a holistic, full continuum of care for women and their children, creating the foundation for a better future for both families and communities throughout the state. We are incredibly grateful that you share your resources, time, and talents with us.