These are our women.
Hear them roar.
Take a look at the stories of participants and graduates gathered across the years to hear the impact Erie DAWN has firsthand.
Jady’s Story
“Erie DAWN helped me to be a stronger woman and to know my worth. They knew my worth and fought to make my life better for my kids and me.”
When Jady came to Erie DAWN, she was attending Gannon University full-time and living on her own with her two children. Jady ran into problems mid way through earning her degree; she came to Erie DAWN looking for support.
While in the Erie DAWN program, Jady created valuable connections and used Erie DAWN’s resources to find the support and help she needed. Jady graduated from Gannon University with a Bachelor’s degree in biology and currently works in the laboratory at ACL. Jady has big plans for the future, she is working on achieving her certification to be a Medical Technologist and plans to move to a larger city. She found permanent housing for her and her two children in Erie.
“Without Erie DAWN’s help, I may not have been able to graduate at all. Erie DAWN helped me to be a stronger woman and to know my worth. They knew my worth and fought to make my life better for my kids and me.”
Roud’s Story
Roud, an Iraqi engineer whose credentials were nullified when coming to the United States, came to Erie DAWN while she transitioned to living in the US, an endeavor which even included learning the English language. She checked in a few years after graduating from our program to let us know of her progress; now enrolled again in school, Roud is a perfect example of what determination can do.
“Erie Dawn is my family here in US. I really do miss these days together, very good times.
I am doing great in school, all is well. It was a new chapter for me and I was in panic in the beginning, but the professors are helpful they helped me a lot and they are friendly and helpful.
A lot of love to Erie Dawn for their support!”
Danielle’s Story
“It’s been an incredible blessing for the child of a single parent to be in a community that cares. Really and truly, that’s what Erie DAWN is.”
— Danielle
“When I entered the Erie DAWN program, I was at an incredibly low point in my life. Pretty much anything that could have gone wrong had gone wrong – personally and professionally. I came to Erie DAWN as a victim of domestic violence and I didn’t realize how deeply that had affected me until I was living on my own. I needed to make a change and Erie DAWN’s dedicated and caring staff enabled me to make changes. Erie DAWN helped me to believe in myself and know that I can do more than I might not have given myself credit for; I feel more confident and capable of taking care of my family.
When I came to Erie DAWN, Seth was a little over a year old. It’s been an incredible blessing for the child of a single parent to be in a community that cares. Really and truly, that’s what Erie DAWN is. Whenever he comes with me to an event or meeting with Erie DAWN, he’s loved it because it’s such a warm and friendly environment. Even at such a young age, he can tell that people care about him. I am so thankful that he’s had this experience instead of witnessing his mother struggling to take care of him.
I started working with the Great Lakes Institute of Technology; since starting there, I’ve demonstrated capability to perform above expectations. This has enabled me to progress through several positions and be the driving force for changes in our library. A position was created for me to meet the needs and goals as our institution changes and to best use my skills and background. Being considered the most capable person who is the best fit to do something entirely new has been very rewarding. I think that the confidence I gained through Erie DAWN was definitely helpful in getting me to where I am today. Erie DAWN helped me believe in myself so that I can pursue goals I might not have otherwise thought possible. I have so many new skills and tools to help me succeed; I can balance continuing education, my current job, and being a parent.
I feel more positive after my time with Erie DAWN; I went through adversity and hardship to become a more resilient person. I find that the program has made me see things differently and look for new ways to give back and spread kindness. I feel fortunate to have had Erie DAWN in my life when I needed help, so now I try to pay it forward whenever I can.
Erie DAWN provides women and their children with the opportunity to improve their lives by letting them be independent in an environment where there is also a safety net. It was empowering to know that there was always help available if I needed it. I was able to move past my trauma and become a strong and confident person again.”
A letter from Carol (2012)
Hello,
My name is Carol. I came into the Erie DAWN program a year ago. I had left an unhealthy relationship with nothing but my clothes. I had been sleeping in my car or staying at a friend’s house or my children’s homes in between. It was in December 2011. After a month, I finally found a motel room to rent on a weekly basis. I soon found out it was infested with cockroaches.
I never thought I would be in that situation. You see, I have a good job and have been sober from addiction for over 16 years. I would have expected it had I been drinking, yet it happened to me. I was in extreme debt and had no savings. I could not see any light at the end of the tunnel.
When I found out about Erie DAWN, I knew God had answered my prayers. I have been given a new life. I have had to look at many aspects of my life including my relationship with money. I have changed so much this past year. I have gained confidence and feel empowered to control my own life.
I have paid a lot of my debt off and have a plan for the rest. I have money in savings. This has not been for a very long time. I could not have done this without the help from Erie DAWN.
The greatest gift I have received, however, is not monetary; it is knowing that I can do this. I have confidence and empowerment. I have a very rich and full life today. I have a safe and warm place to live. I have great relationships with friends and family.
I would like to personally thank each and every donor or potential donors. I would like to say thank you for a new and peaceful life for myself and other women and children. God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Carol
“We miss our involvement with the Erie DAWN program, and all that made it so great. We are so grateful to have been a part of such an amazing group of people!”
— Angel
Angel’s Updates
2018:
“I was hired at Wood-Metal Industries, and I absolutely love it! I’ve been there almost two months now. I love the people I work with and am on the program I learned on, which makes things a lot easier. I get to talk to people all day and get up frequently, which are both things that I lacked at my last drafting job.
The kids are doing great. Rooney has graduated from preschool and is just over a month away from kindergarten now! Luna is thriving and getting sassier every day! Thank you all, once again for everything you did to help. I really don’t know if I could have gotten through the last couple years without the help of the Erie DAWN.”
2019:
“We are well! This summer brought our biannual trip back to my hometown to see my sister, which the kids and I always love, but is never quite long enough. This year we were able to include my fiancé in the adventure! School is just around the corner, and this year Luna will be in Kindergarten! So much excitement in our lives as our family grows as well. We have my wonderful fiancé, whom is more than a “stepdad” to my children, and we are proud to be welcoming a new baby at the beginning of the new year!
We miss our involvement in the Erie DAWN program, and all that made it so great. And we are so grateful to have been a part of such an amazing group of people! Keep up the amazing work! ”
Adrian’s Story
Adrian came to Erie DAWN quiet and withdrawn after being homeless for over a year. Being on her own for so long, Adrian was not comfortable asking for help, but she knew if she was going to move forward, she had to have a safe place to call home. Asking for help was the first step in Adrian’s journey to get her life back. Through the relationship Erie DAWN has with local landlords, Adrian has her own apartment and is now able to continue to work on her goals of earning a college degree and finding a job working with children.
With the conviction that she wanted to complete her college while working full-time, Adrian also seized the opportunity to earn additional certifications. One was through the HERO program for a Personal Care Assistant and the other was from Edinboro University for the Northwest PA Career Pathway Project. Adrian was soon after blessed with a car donated by Dell and Bill Becker.
“This is life changing for me” says Adrian. “I am truly grateful for so many people believing in me.”
Naomi’s Story
“When you handed me the keys to my first apartment, you handed me something that I had never before been given – independence and trust.”
Naomi came to Erie DAWN as an emancipated minor at the age of 16. Despite the fact that her troubled family history gave her a maturity beyond her years, in many ways Naomi was still a child herself, even though she had recently become a mother.
Naomi didn’t just need housing – although after months of moving from one friend’s sofa to another, housing was certainly an issue. Naomi needed life and job skills, not to mention a high school degree. Sister Phyllis Hilbert, Erie DAWN’s founder, made sure that Naomi got the tools she needed to achieve her goals.
After two years with Erie DAWN, Naomi developed the skills – and courage – she needed to make a better life for herself and daughter. She obtained her GED – and a bachelor’s degree. Today Naomi is a CFP-certified special care planner with a prestigious financial firm. Drawing upon her own life experiences, as well as her education, Naomi helps families financially plan for their special-needs children.
Naomi cites Erie DAWN, and Sister Phyllis in particular, as a critical factor in her success. According to Naomi,
“(Sister Phyllis) taught me how to work myself out of my situation – to be better, be greater and give back to others while doing it.”
“If I can do it, anyone can do it. We all struggle, but it’s what you do with that struggle that matters.”
Denise’s Story
At 50 years of age Denise was finally ready to make a change. She endured a mother’s worst nightmare: the loss of two of her sons while she struggled with addiction. She left the Pittsburgh area to enter a drug rehabilitation program here in Erie. After successful completion of that program, she stayed for a short time at the Mercy Center for Women before getting her own apartment through the Erie DAWN program. Denise is now in a lovely furnished apartment that she can now call home.
Denise is now 13 months clean and sober. She works full time in the health care field and is very involved with her church. Her attitude of gratitude will serve Denise very well as she moves forward on her journey of self-reliance.