Martha

Everything in her world felt insane to Martha as the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on life as she knew it.  She slipped into feelings of negativity and as days passed in seclusion and loneliness, she lost focus on the direction of her life and came to realize she continually looked at her world with a negative tint. 

“I didn’t want to be a part of that world,” Martha said. “I wanted to break my cycles of negativity and self-doubt and start all over again and I literally asked for a fresh start.” 

Martha first worked with Fresh Start in May 2018, and knew she could turn to the organization again to find a path out of her darkness.  

She met with a social worker for support and coaching and received legal assistance through family law services, utilizing resources in both the Social Work and Family Stability pillars in Fresh Start’s Impact Program. She enrolled in several health and well-being focused personal development workshops and continued her growth through the Education and Careers pillar when she received the Floureine Jackson Scholarship to participate in the Small Business Start Up (SBSU) program provided in partnership with Fresh Start and Paradise Valley Community College in Fall 2022.  

During Martha’s time at Fresh Start, she learned the value of hard work, patience, and not cutting corners even when it’s hard. She also uncovered a new sense of purpose and discovered the joy of giving back.  

“My purpose is to empower myself and others in my community. I wanted to share my story, to reach out to women who are where I once was,” Martha shared. “Now, I am here, and every day is a fresh start.