"I Never Gave Up"

(Left) Barbara Connaughton, recipient of Amandla Crossing Graduate Award and Cari Tarica, Program Director

I was without permanent residency and moved in with friends; then a motel and finally swallowed my pride, applied for welfare and entered the Ozanam shelter. After three weeks, I learned about Amandla Crossing Transitional Housing Program. I was interviewed and selected for the program. God answered my prayers. When I walked up the stairs to my apartment, I felt like I was entering a castle.

After graduation from Amandla, I moved into my own apartment with my daughter. Eventually, I applied for a position at Amandla and have been employed in the Child Development Center for the past 6 years. A piece of my heart will always be at Amandla. Most important, "I never gave up."

-- Barbara Counnaughton