One Brave Teen. One Powerful Transformation

At 17, Claire’s world was close to collapsing.

Years of emotional neglect and instability in her mother’s home had taken a devastating toll. Her mother’s absence and substance use left Claire feeling abandoned and alone. The pain became unbearable, eventually leading to a suicide attempt that brought her to the care of Child Welfare Services and Behavioral Wellness—and then, to Casa Pacifica.

Placed with a friend’s family who would later become her official resource family, Claire found the first glimmer of stability. But emotional wounds don’t heal overnight. She entered Casa Pacifica’s Wraparound program deeply unsure of her self-worth and struggling with intense feelings of hopelessness.

Through Wraparound, Claire met twice weekly with a dedicated Child and Family Specialist who helped her begin the slow work of healing—building trust, learning emotional regulation, and developing tools to cope in healthier ways. Her resource family was a key part of her progress, attending family sessions and growing alongside her in their ability to offer meaningful support.

At times, setbacks still came. Claire often relied on others for validation and found it difficult to navigate relationships when her emotional needs weren’t met. But over time, something powerful shifted. She began speaking up for herself. She set boundaries. And, perhaps most importantly, she started reaching out in moments of distress—calling her specialist or confiding in her resource sister instead of shutting down.

“One day I realized I didn’t have to stay stuck in my past—I could choose something different,” Claire said. “That’s when everything started to change.”

Despite the emotional weight she carried, Claire graduated from high school with good grades. Today, she’s living independently, working as a waitress, and preparing to attend college. With continued support from Casa Pacifica, she’s learning to balance financial responsibilities, make future plans and believe in her own potential.

Thanks to your support, Claire’s story didn’t end in crisis. It turned into a story of strength, growth, and possibility. Casa Pacifica was there when she needed it most.

And so were you.

If you’re interested in supporting Casa Pacifica’s life-changing mission, donate now!