“I was addicted to alcohol and drugs. I had a conviction on my record. I was living with my mom. I was homeless.

“For 12 years of my life, I lived a very unproductive, irresponsible and destructive life. This had to change. I used to ask myself, ‘would I die out on the street? Would my child be ripped of any opportunity to know me and I know him? How could I continue to be so selfish?’ That’s when I decided to go to Sister House Recovery Home.”

Just a few years ago, Natalia had many obstacles to overcome, with few resources to help her through. But when Sister House Recovery Home referred her to The Cara Program, she quickly found her niche. The Cara Program, funded in part by United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, is a job training and placement provider for individuals affected by homelessness and poverty. A vehicle for true life transformation, The Cara Program brings hope, opportunity and most of all, community, to people in need. For the rest of Natalia's story of transformation (courtesy of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago), please click here.