“I’m finding who I am now after all these years and becoming a better person, for myself, and for my son. I’m showing him that you never know what life is going to throw at you, but it’s what you do with it that matters.”
Fourteen years after saying, ‘I do,’ with her husband, Kimberly’s* world was shattered beyond recognition when they suddenly filed for divorce.
“It was total devastation, really. It was hard…it impacted me financially because I’d been a stay-at-home mom for 13 years.”
During their marriage, her husband always handled all the family finances. The divorce thrust Kimberly into a world that demanded she be self-sufficient as a new single mom.
“Hindsight is being more aware and involved with finances because it put me in a really bad position to not know what was going on…it was really challenging, and I cried a lot.”
In early 2024, a friend encouraged her to use Fresh Start’s resources to process some of the trauma she experienced.
For a year, she worked with a Fresh Start Success Coach and Family Law Support Services.
“My success coach helped me learn how to pause and how to take moments and reflect. I have a big Post-It next to my computer now that says, ‘pause, process, reflect.”
“I’m very adamant that I need to stop and recognize those little moments of achievement that I have. I never did that before.”
Before her role as a stay-at-home mom, Kimberly worked as a hair stylist. Although she needed her own source of income now, she couldn’t return to her former career.
“I was in physical therapy for the past year trying to avoid surgery on my back. Financially, I’ve had to navigate the legal system and hire attorneys. Not having an income has been a huge challenge.”
As she completed certifications, in Google and Microsoft, the Fresh Start team noticed her drive and determination to become self-sufficient and suggested she apply for an upcoming Women in Finance cohort.
“I knew I needed to educate myself and find training and support because I could not go back to the salon industry. I wouldn’t be able to support myself or my son or have a sustainable income on minimum wage.”
Kimberly was accepted into the Spring 2025 Women in Finance cohort, and with the news, she immediately turned to a friend she believed could also benefit from the program.
“I brought Rose to the program! I used to work for her in childcare at our church, and we’ve been friends ever since, and I’ve done her hair too.”
She recalled how amazing it was to hear that Rose had also been accepted into her cohort.
“We’ve been carpooling and talking about where we’re going to work, and jobs, and it’s really developed our relationship…When you’re doing hair, it’s kinda like what’s said in the chair, stays in the chair. But this has given us the chance to go deep and be vulnerable, and we’ve become closer friends because of this.”
Since then, Kimberly has continued to share her experience at Fresh Start with others.
“I’ve told so many people about Fresh Start and what I’m doing here. It’s not just for the down and out, or emergency or crisis situations. It’s for any woman.”
As the Women in Finance seven-week program neared an end, Kimberly reflected on how far she’d come since her divorce. Going through Fresh Start classes, she didn’t know what she was going to do, where she was going to live, or if she’d have money to support herself and her son. By the end of the program, she was receiving job offers and found a place to live.
“I’m finding myself again because I really did lose myself in the marriage. Doing for everyone else but not for me.”
“I need to be there for my son and not just the broken version, but the overcomer. The better version now, where I’m able to find joy and work through challenges.”
Kimberly hopes that other women who have looked for assistance elsewhere but have not received the support they need will find Fresh Start.
“I came here and there were all these classes, resources, and opportunities. There was no judgment.
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, you’re welcome here.”
“Fresh Start has empowered me to rise above and do what I need to do and work through my personal issues and shame and confidence. It helped me recognize what is good in me and my qualities that I have to offer. It’s impacted me in a positive way. I’m much different today than when I first started with Fresh Start—a much better person, more alive, and more aware of what’s going on and the opportunities ahead. I know I can do anything that I put my mind to.”