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FM100's Jill Atwood ReportingIt's the only option for some young women, an organization that helps those that have hit rock bottom. It's called LifeStart village and it's a place where families can get help, heal and start over.
It's a big home with a big family. The residents aren't related, but all of them have something in common.
Estee Flores, LifeStart Village Resident: "I didn't think that anyone owed me anything, but at the same time the situation I was in there was no place to go, and I knew that my parents couldn't support me on their income. And I was a stay at home mom for all of my adult life."
Estee Flores lost everything when she became addicted to pain killers; she lost her husband, not to mention her self respect. Lifestart Village has given her and her three kids new hope. With counseling, parenting education and job skill development Estee is looking to become self sufficient for the first time in her life.
Hannah Paraboschi, LifeStart Village Resident: "I'm looking at this little, tiny baby and all of this stuff I'd done to him and all the events started coming back -- all the abuse I'd put myself through, and how selfish I'd been and how I discredited another person's life for my own addiction. And I realized enough is enough."
Hannah Paraboschi was caught up in a vicious cycle, in and out of jail with a meth addiction and year after year of abusive relationships. Along the way she lost custody of two of her four children.
Sixteen months later the village has her back on track.
Hannah Paraboschi: "It gave me that little bit of encouragement that I can develop my own independence, that I don't need to rely on that type of life, that type of man or any type of man for that matter."
Through counseling and compassion these success stories are common place at the village.
"I got myself a job and a car and things started finally building together and I finally got that confidence that I can do this."
The doors are always open at the LifeStart Village through the Family Support Center.
