From Orphan to Survivor

When Asia was just ten years old, her world was shattered. Her mother died of an overdose, and only a few years later, her father passed away. Orphaned before adulthood, she was left to navigate life on her own, bouncing from house to house, searching for stability that always seemed out of reach. “I felt like I had been thrown to the wolves,” she recalls. Without parents, guidance, or resources, Asia was forced to raise herself. She struggled to secure even the most basic things, needing a state identification card, steady housing, learning about financial aid for school; and for years, survival meant relying on temporary jobs and unstable living arrangements.

Despite these hardships, Asia held tightly to one dream: creating a stable, safe life for herself and her young son. She longed for the peace of financial stability and the ability to provide without fear of what tomorrow might bring. Homelessness became her reality, and for a time, she lived out of an Airbnb, barely able to keep a roof over her and her child’s heads. Even though her and her son's life was turned upside down, she held on to faith in the midst of the struggle. “I was literally surviving, just trying to make it day to day,” Asia shares. “I prayed every day that God would give me a way out.”

That prayer was answered when she found Life Turning Point of Philadelphia. Although the waiting list was long, an unexpected call from staff gave her and her son a place to call home. For Asia, it was more than shelter; it was divine intervention. “This was what I prayed for. I knew that God had placed me here.” At LTP, Asia was given more than a room to sleep in. She was given structure, resources, and most importantly, hope. For the first time, she could start saving money, focus on her goals, and envision a future beyond survival.

Asia is determined to break generational cycles. She grew up in instability and loss, but she is determined that her son will experience something different. Every night, she prays with him, teaching him to lean on faith the way she has learned to and also to pray to God for protection-what she never had growing up. Her resilience is inspiring. Instead of allowing hardship to define her, Asia uses it as motivation. “I could have given up,” she admits. “But I chose to keep going—for my son, and because I know God has a plan for me.”

Today, at twenty-six years old, Asia is building that plan into reality. She recently started her first professional position working with children, a role she describes as her “first big-girl job.” With the consistent income and support from LTP, Asia can begin making her dream come true. Residing at a transitional housing program is not without challenges. Asia admitted to having a conflict with another resident. But in these moments, guidance and discipleship made all the difference.  Sisters Rita and Diane sat her down and told her: if she truly put Christ first, she would not let anger take control. These specific words touched her deeply. “So much conviction came over me,” Asia recalls. “I realized that a lot of the things we do are because of pride. If I had humbled myself and put Christ first, I wouldn’t have let anger get to me.”

For Asia, these lessons have become part of her personal growth. She now sees humility as a cornerstone of becoming the woman and mother she wants to be. Learning to let go of pride and to walk in faith has shaped not only how she handles challenges, but how she teaches her son to face life with strength and grace. Asia said it best: “I could look at my life and say, ‘I have nothing.’ But I chose to see the bigger picture. I am resilient. I am blessed. And I am grateful for Life Turning Point!