Success Stories

Tami Hughes

My life has been dramatically touched by MELD and I'd like to tell you my story.

In October of 1992, I had hit rock bottom. I had a great deal of bad debt, no job, no where to live and I was 6 months pregnant. My family directed me to the MELD shelter. At the time, I was very upset with my family for not taking me in, but the decision they made was the best thing they could have done for me.

Upon moving into the shelter, I was immediately assigned a case manager, whom I met with weekly. My case manager pointed me to several of the area organizations that help young, poor moms and their children, such as daycare assistance and W.I.C. By January of 1993, I was able to move out of the shelter and into one of MELD's transitional living apartment buildings. This phase of the program allowed me to become more independent on myself and less on MELD. Upon leaving MELD, I set a goal for myself that before Alli, my daughter, was 5 years old, I would purchase a home for us. In 1996, I realized that goal and purchased our home, which we are still in today.

During the time I spend with MELD, I learned many valuable lessons that helped me in raising my daughter as a single parent. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was to lead by example. My case manager and my family constantly encouraged me to go back to school, which I did in the Fall of 1994. Again, through financial assistance programs, I was able to attend Rock Valley College and in May of 1998, I earned my Associates Degree in Business Administration. The following Fall, I began attending Rockford College and I earned my Bachelors Degree in Business Management, with a minor in Economics. I'm hopeful that, realizing the sacrifices that both Alli and I have made over the past 10 years, she will make different choices than the ones that I did - getting her education first and then having a family.

In 2003, I married the most wonderful man. He is my best friend and my equal partner and he is so good to my daughter. I could not be more blessed than I am right now. And I would not be where I am today without the continued support of my family and MELD. MELD opened doors for me and guided me to the resources that I needed to succeed. Thank you MELD for helping my daughter and I realize our dreams.