From Surviving to Healing: Marcy’s Story of Transformation

Behind every family experiencing homelessness is a story - a story of exhaustion, fear, uncertainty, and the quiet weight of trying to hold everything together while life feels like it’s falling apart. But within those stories are also moments of resilience, courage, and transformation.

At Solutions for Change, we believe lasting change happens when individuals are given more than temporary relief. It happens when people are provided with the structure, accountability, community, and support needed to rebuild their lives from the inside out.

For Marcy Faison, that journey meant moving from survival mode into healing.

After enduring homelessness, trauma, addiction, and overwhelming instability while raising two young children, Marcy arrived at Solutions for Change searching for something deeper than temporary help. She was searching for a path forward for herself and for her children.

Now coming up on 1 year at Solutions for Change, Marcy reflects on how much her circumstances have changed. What follows is Marcy’s story, shared in her own words: a powerful reflection on resilience, accountability, motherhood, recovery, and the life-changing impact of believing that transformation is possible:

“There comes a moment in life when surviving is no longer enough, and the need for change becomes impossible to ignore. This is the story of how I moved from fear to direction, and from surviving to healing. My name is Marcy Faison, and I am a mother of two young children. I came to Solutions for Change during one of the most painful and humbling seasons of my life. I wasn’t just looking for help when I arrived here, I was desperate for real change. I needed stability, healing, and a way forward that didn’t depend on reminding myself to “just survive.” I came here because I knew my children deserved more than my best intentions; they deserved a solid foundation.

Before coming to Solutions for Change, my life was defined by survival. Every decision I made was based on fear, fear of losing shelter, fear of failing my children, fear that I wasn’t enough. As someone who comes from physical and emotional abuse from her father, and from a single mother of 3 at the age of 19, I carried the weight of past trauma, unhealthy coping patterns, and constant stress. I woke up every day already exhausted, already behind, already worried about what might go wrong. Living this way left me stuck in a cycle of fear instead of growth.

One of the hardest truths I’ve ever had to face was sleeping in a tent for 7 months while being 6 months pregnant. I remember walking miles while my body was already worn down, telling myself I didn’t have the luxury of stopping. There were days when food wasn’t an option. I relied on motel vouchers that expired quickly, never knowing what came next. Each night felt temporary, and that uncertainty lived in my chest like a constant ache. I was physically tired, and emotionally I was breaking.

What hurt the most during this time was the shame I carried. I felt invisible and alone, as if my circumstances defined my worth as a person and a mother. I avoided asking for help because I believed needing help meant I had failed. I smiled for my children while silently questioning how long I could hold everything together. I loved them deeply, but love without stability felt terrifying. I was surviving for them, but I wasn’t living.

At that time, I lacked structure, accountability, and healthy coping skills. I reacted to situations instead of responding thoughtfully. I avoided pain instead of healing it, which only made it stronger. Deep down, I didn’t trust myself to make long-term decisions, and I couldn’t yet imagine a future that felt safe or sustainable. Although I knew something had to change, I didn’t yet believe change was meant for me.

Solutions for Change became the place where my life stopped spiraling and started grounding. This program didn’t just offer resources, it required me to look honestly at myself. It taught me that accountability is not punishment but a tool for empowerment. For the first time, I wasn’t being rescued, I was being equipped. That shift changed how I viewed both responsibility and myself.

One of the biggest changes in my life has been learning how to slow down. I am learning to respond instead of react when stress or conflict arises such as calling my amazing sponsor, talking to a trusted friend, and praying on it. I’ve also discovered the power of structure, routines, and following through on commitments. I have found strength in taking on commitments such as GSR for a woman’s meeting, meal prepping for myself and my kids, and setting intentional weekly goals for myself whether it’s self-care, step work, or spending quality time with family and friends. I now understand how setting boundaries protects my peace and my progress. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, I’m learning how to focus on what’s next. These are skills I never had before, and they’ve changed how I show up in my life.

Emotionally, this journey has been uncomfortable, but healing usually is. I’ve learned to sit with my feelings instead of numbing or avoiding them. Every night no matter how I am feeling I will journal about what was good about the day, what wasn’t good about it, and how I can do better. I’ve learned how to ask for help without shame and take responsibility without self-hatred. When it came to my son, I knew he needed help. I couldn’t stand by when I knew I could do something about it. As of today, my son and I have weekly sessions where his Occupational and Speech therapist teaches me how to better my son’s quality of life. Lessons that I implement daily. Rebuilding trust with myself has been one of the hardest but most rewarding parts of this process. That trust has become the foundation of my personal growth.

As a mother, I see the difference every day. I am more present, more patient, and more intentional with my children. They now experience consistency, emotional safety, and routines that build trust. I have rebuilt relationships with my parents and brothers, and have made new friends that I would consider lifelong. My kids know their grandparents, and have a strong connection with them, something I didn’t believe was attainable in my addiction. I’m no longer just surviving for my kids; I'm growing alongside them. Solutions for Change gave me tools, but more importantly, it gave me belief.

When I think about the future now, I don’t feel fear, I feel direction. I see stability, continued growth, and a clear path forward. I see myself pursuing education and building a meaningful career in nursing. I imagine a home where my children feel safe not just physically, but emotionally. For the first time, my future feels intentional instead of uncertain.

The lessons I’ve learned here will guide every area of my life moving forward. I plan to carry discipline, accountability, resilience, and faith into everything I do, such as my recovery journey, my career as a nurse, being the mother my children deserve, and building a strong relationship with my Higher Power. I know challenges will still come, but now I have the tools to face them. Instead of falling apart, I can problem-solve and stay grounded. These skills will help me maintain stability long after this program ends.

Breaking generational cycles is one of the most important goals of my life. I want my children to understand that where you start does not determine where you end. I want them to see that mistakes do not disqualify you from success. I also want them to know that asking for help is a sign of strength, not a weakness. My choices today are shaping a healthier future for them.

I also hope to give back. I want to remind people who feel lost or ashamed that change is possible through intentional effort and support. Transformation does not happen overnight, but it does happen with commitment. If my story can help someone believe in themselves again, then every hard moment will have been worth it.

I stand here today not as someone who has it all figured out, but as someone who chose to stop surviving and start healing. This journey matters to me because it represents growth, accountability, and self-respect. It also matters because it proves that transformation happens when people are given structure, accountability, and belief. Solutions for Change taught me that my past does not define my future. No matter how heavy your past is, it does not get the final say, change begins when you decide you are worth it.”

To learn how you can help support our families through their transformation journey, visit our Take Action page and explore our volunteer and donor opportunities!