It’s hard to comprehend the heartache and challenges Sam has endured throughout her life…

Following the loss of her mother, Sam spent her adolescence in constant
transition, shuffled between three foster care placements over the course of a turbulent decade. Her father was never in the picture. With no stable support system, she often felt completely alone and unsure of what the next day would bring.

Then, at just 17 years old and shortly after graduating high school, Sam’s life took another heartbreaking turn when she became homeless. With nowhere else to go and no one to turn to for support, she had no choice but to sleep in her car. She felt completely helpless and was forced to put her dream of going to college on hold. Surviving was more important.

“I knew something had to change, but I had no idea how it was going to change,” Sam said. “I just remember calling on God to try to figure out if there was a way out of this.”

Sam’s prayers were eventually answered the day a social worker told her about Omaha Home for Boys. She learned OHB could provide not only a safe place to live but also the opportunity to pursue college—finally, a place that offered the support she so desperately needed.

Soon after, Sam enrolled in OHB’s Supportive Community Living Program and began the hard but rewarding work of building a more stable future. She vividly remembers the day she moved into OHB: the weather, the emotions, the tears of relief.

“After everyone left for the day and my bed was set up and I had a nice, clean place to sleep, I remember thinking, ‘Wow! This is mine. This is my first step. I’m so grateful,’” said Sam. “I remember praying to God and just being so thankful for the people I had in my life who were making this possible for me.”

Offering much more than just a safe place to live, OHB also helped Sam learn many of the basic life skills she lacked. She learned her way around the kitchen in the program’s cooking classes, learned how to navigate public transportation, and even attended a demonstration on car maintenance where she learned how to change a tire and check her car’s oil. OHB helped Sam grow even further toward independence by guiding her employment search and supporting her dream of going to college through an OHB Scholarship.

“I remember I went to my first college class, and I could not believe that this was my life,” said Sam.

Today, Sam is a successful graduate of the program, living in her first independent apartment and working full-time. Driven by her strong desire to help others, she continues her studies and hopes to one day earn a degree in social work. She’s hopeful that sharing her story will inspire others who are walking a similar path.

“OHB completely changed my life. If I never would have met the people here and gotten into the program, I don’t know where I would be,” Sam shared with heartfelt gratitude. “I know I can always call them and always count on them.”

What Your Support Means

To you and every supporter of OHB who made her journey possible, Sam has just one message: “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much! I know my life would not be the same without your help. A thousand times thank you!”