Meet Jami. Jami is a single mother of 3 who first came to the YWCA in 2007 after losing her home, car
and job while involved in drugs and an unhealthy relationship. She was a young mother to a son who she
gave to her mother to care for. She spent the next two years in and out of shelters and on the streets
before giving birth to her second child, another son. After being in another unhealthy relationship, Jami
knew it was time to get clean to provide a better life for her and her sons. Before getting permanent
housing in 2011, Jami and her child returned to the YWCA for emergency shelter and then moved to
another shelter. Jami got her GED through the Even Start program, at the YWCA Canton, before
beginning college at Stark State College. After receiving her GED, Jami began working full time while enrolled in college. She had another
child, a daughter in summer 2012. Her two youngest children have been enrolled at the YWCA Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC)
since they were six weeks old. Jami has since graduated from college with an Associates Degree in Human and Social Services with a focus
on chemical dependency. Her oldest son is doing well, he is enrolled in college and works at United Way of Greater Stark County with their
Get Connected Peer Program. Her middle son is in third grade and is still benefiting from the services he was connected through at the
YWCA ECLC. Her daughter is in 1st grade this year and is thriving. We have the pleasure of seeing Jami and the kids each day as they still
attend our school age program. Jami stresses that she came from a good family, she had great support from her mother and father, but
unfortunately she got herself into her messes. She values the importance of family and having a good education. Jami has been clean from
drugs from over 8 years now and is working towards getting her record expunged in order to continue her journey-- she still has a lot of
good left to give!