My name is Odalys and I was born and raised in East L.A. Growing up I was not the best kid. I did not in one place for so long. I would get into lots of fights and was always going in and out of the juvenile justice system until the age of 17 when I came to Penny Lane. Before that I had already sadly done 3 camp programs and been to 3 other placement homes. But when I came to Penny Lane, I was in a different mindset where I didn’t want to continue to do bad anymore.
That doesn’t mean that I was an angel, suddenly, I did have my hiccups but if it wasn’t due to the care and/or the honest support that I got from the staff and my mother. If not for that care I would probably have given up on myself and gone back to my old ways. Months had passed and before I knew it, I was 18 and was ready to start my second chapter with Penny Lane Transitional Housing NMD program. While I was still in the group home, I got my high school diploma and was enrolled into UEI trade school for M.A. After I moved to the NMD transitional housing 7 months later I got my Medi-Cal assistance certification with UEI then one month later gave birth to my baby boy. I can’t begin with how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to be in the transitional housing.
There I was able to learn how to become an independent adult. By being responsible and giving me the opportunity to have my own little home with my baby without paying for the rent and learning how I need to budget then to be ready for the expenses of real life. Penny Lane Transitional housing staff were also so amazing at what they did for us and the help that they provided. Such as Miss Irene who was so helpful with me when I was getting ready to age out of the program and was getting worried about where I was going to live with my baby knowing that my minimum wage and part time job along with my savings would be gone by next year with the housing rent at $1,700 for just one room. But with the help of Miss Irene, I finally came to the last chapter with Penny Lane, I was accepted in Moonlight Villas permanent housing. Living here has given me the opportunity to still work part time, go to school and make time for my baby to go to places like parks, libraries, and museum.
My goal is to stay here until I get my bachelor’s in health science to be a registered nurse and to move out when I do. No matter what Penny Lane would always have a spot in my heart truly because without this program I don’t know what I would have become or where I would be. I will always be so grateful for the opportunity you gave me and my baby. I know that there are so many others for the opportunity you gave us in this program.
Thank you so much Penny lane I love you.
When Elizabeth started Intensive Services she was a very timid individual wanting to gain self-confidence. Elizabeth had a difficult time socializing with others and advocating for her needs. She remained consistent every week meeting with her child and family specialist as well as her therapist to work on improving her social skills and building her self-esteem. Addressing her mental health needs became her priority. Elizabeth was always engaged during sessions and would always follow through with suggestions such as daily positive affirmations. By one year in Intensive Services Elizabeth enjoyed making new friends, got a job, and made self-care a priority.
With the support of Intensive Services and her own hard work, Elizabeth blossomed into a social butterfly. The Intensive Services team is very proud of her healing journey and how much independence she has gained. She was accepted into college and plans on achieving all her goals physically, mentally, and emotionally. With great pleasure the team graduated Elizabeth from Intensive Services and feels confident she will continue to excel in everything she sets her mind on.
To find out how you can help or make a donation, go to Penny Lane Centers website: www.pennylane.org
