Tia Is Well on her Way to Building a Better Life

Tia Cuffey first walked through the doors of My Sister’s Place Women’s Center in May of 2008. Pregnant with her third child and looking for a more stable and rewarding career, Tia was in need of support. Today Tia boasts that she has a new perspective on the world and that she is well on her way to building a better life for herself and her family.

When she first came to MSPWC, Tia joined the Families That Work program which assists women in their third trimester of pregnancy with attaining the life skills and employment skills necessary to secure stable employment and maintain a healthy, balanced life. During her introduction to MSPWC, Tia was asked to write down several goals for herself and her family. To date, Tia has achieved three of those five goals, including getting her Certified Nursing Assistant / Geriatric Nursing Assistant degree from Caroline Center, moving to a new home and eating healthier. She credits this success to her devotion to her children and the support of MSPWC.

Tia says that MSPWC was the driving force behind completing her degree. “Without MSPWC I may not have finished school at all and if I had, I don’t think I would have gotten the good grades that I did.” Knowing that someone believed in her was the motivation she needed to get through those difficult and often long days. MSPWC also made it possible for her to get to school each day. “Without the bus pass they provided, I would not have been able to get to school at all. The money I receive is only enough to pay my rent and buy groceries for my family.” It was this crucial support that made all the difference to her.

Now that Tia has finished school, she spends her days at MSPWC where she continues to receive help finding a job. So far, Tia has been on several promising job interviews and is hopeful she will be employed soon.

Tia says that the relationship she has built with the case managers at MSPWC serves as an additional source of strength. “The case workers here listen when I talk and they always make time for me. They are determined to help however they can and they are so understanding and dedicated. I am just so thankful to all of them” says Tia. 

Tia is proud of all the progress she has made and her children are proud of her as well. Tia’s drive to change her life has influenced her children to believe that they too can achieve their goals and that anything is possible if they just put their mind to it. Tia looks forward to a long career in the medical field helping others and giving back. She even has her sights on going back to school to become a Registered Nurse.

Families That Work is one of three programs housed in My Sister’s Place Women’s Center. Starting three months prior to birth and continuing for six months following birth, the Families That Work case managers work with each of the mothers on an individual plan that will give them an opportunity to be successful.  The women participate in life skills and financial literacy workshops, enroll in GED classes, and get job ready, so they can rejoin the workforce soon after giving birth.

My Sister's Place Women's Center

Comment on this story

Nickname
Comment
Enter this word:	Change

 Here's what others had to say