Portia's Story
My name is Portia. I am a mother of 14 children and a grateful recovering addict. My blessing began after 42 years of drug abuse and two years in prison. When I got out of prison, I was sent to a facility called Fairview Half-Way House, where I met a counselor named Mr. Hill. When I told him I was determined not go back to where I came from – if I did, I would surely have died – Mr. Hill called New Endeavors. At the time it was the best thing to happen to me. I was accepted to New Endeavors by Women on November 8, 2004.
NEW provided everything for me when I couldn’t provide for myself. The case managers allowed me to cry when I needed to cry, helped me through situations that I couldn’t go through by myself, and 
helped me take care of my physical problems. They are truly people who care. If it wasn’t for NEW and the things I learned there, I still wouldn’t be able to see, nor gotten help for my high blood pressure. Through NEW I was able to save 75% of my income, which was truly a blessing, because that money helped me to buy the things I needed for my new apartment. NEW housing specialist Ms. Renee Roberts never gave up on me. She helped me a lot with housing and I was able to get the apartment I am in now and I thank her. I haven’t stumbled or failed because of my case manager Mrs. Courtney Allen’s positive direction and help. The executive director, Ms. Wanda Steptoe, brought life into New Endeavors by allowing us to be respected and treated like ladies.
Every woman who came in small is now large. New Endeavors by Women gave me a foundation. It gave me back my life. I thank God for New Endeavors. I hope it will be here for many more women who want to get their lives back together and live as respectable ladies of society. I just want to say Thank You for everything. Thank You. Thank You.
