A New Beginning at Onward House

Mariam first learned about Onward Neighborhood House when a community member mentioned that the organization offers English and Computer Classes. Curious and eager to learn, she visited and quickly found a place where she felt welcome.

“I spend so much time here, almost the entire day. It feels like a second home,” she shares.

After arriving in Chicago a year ago from Camargo, Chihuahua, Mariam was ready to rebuild her life from the ground up. At 51 years old, she faced the emotional and financial challenges of starting over after a difficult divorce that left her with nothing but determination and hope for a fresh start. With limited income that only covered her rent and with her children now adults, Mariam set her sights on a new goal: creating a stable and independent life for herself.

Read the rest of Mariam’s story below, or click here to open in a new tab.