In 2021, I cautiously took a step to reclaim my life. For years, I was lost in the clutches of depression, trauma, and PTSD after years in a toxic relationship. I had lost hope, given up on my dreams, and daily questioned humanity’s reason for existence, and I could barely function as a person, let alone as a mom. I was so lethargic and fatigued that I had to sleep all night, then again for the few hours, my 3 children were in school, just so that I had enough energy to be present when they returned home. I had no energy for cooking, cleaning, shopping, or any outside interests or friends.
In 2021, I cautiously took a step to reclaim my life. For years, I was lost in the clutches of depression, trauma, and PTSD after years in a toxic relationship. I had lost hope, given up on my dreams, and daily questioned humanity’s reason for existence, and I could barely function as a person, let alone as a mom. I was so lethargic and fatigued that I had to sleep all night, then again for the few hours, my 3 children were in school, just so that I had enough energy to be present when they returned home. I had no energy for cooking, cleaning, shopping, or any outside interests or friends. I was just barely surviving and holding on by a thread – the one thing that kept me anchored to this life was my children.
After reaching my lowest point in 2020, I began receiving treatment for a thyroid disorder and the after-effects of the trauma I had experienced. As I began to crawl out of the dark hole that had enveloped me for years, I started looking for jobs. I was very worried about how I could manage working as a single mother of three with little support. Although I had an impressive work history, which included professional positions at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, the United Nations – Ghana, and the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, I was only a shell of my former self. I needed guidance and support to find a job, so I reached out to Voc-Rehab and was eventually directed to My Sister’s Closet.
I nervously walked through the doors of My Sister’s Closet, a broken woman, with a voucher in hand. I expected to receive a couple of outfits to wear on upcoming job interviews, the first scheduled for the very next day. Like most of MSC’s clients, I received much, much more than job interview attire.
A Broken Woman and a Voucher: My Sister’s Closet’s Kindness
In my first appointment, multiple women took part in helping me find just the right clothes that flattered my body, including shoes, jewelry, and accessories to complete a professional look. All of these women offered sincere compliments and each one made me feel more encouraged. I was shocked at the huge shopping bag full of products they gave me, including hygiene items that were too expensive on my own. They introduced me to an image consultant, explained how to make the most of a 30-second elevator speech as a job search tool, and taught me how to create effective STAR statements to use during my interviews.
Before leaving, the Executive Director, Sandy, asked to see my resume, of which I was already very proud. I assured her, “My resume is beautiful, and it doesn’t need further revision.” But this woman is persistent, and she insisted. She told me that My Sister’s Closet had a very large network with many employers, and, with my permission, she would share my resume with those who may be a good fit for me.
After just 3 days, around 6 pm on a Saturday, I received a call from Sandy. She told me that she was in her office with one of MSC’s long-time supporters, who worked at Crane Naval Warfare Center. She asked if we had any good candidates for positions in her department. Sandy immediately recommended me and over the next several months, I had multiple interviews and was ultimately hired.
During that time, an MSC advocate reached out to me several times a week to touch base. They made job search suggestions, offered interviewing tips, and even shared life skills applicable outside of the workplace. All their time and concern made me feel like a very important client.
Having developed a mentoring relationship with Sandy, I offered to volunteer at MSC. Shortly after, I was asked to join as a part-time employee and was eventually promoted to Operations Director. It turned out to be exactly what I had been hoping for – a meaningful job with flexibility and in an environment that allowed me to still be very available to my children.
As I was returning to my former self, my passion for helping others returned. I began to set goals again, reclaiming dreams that had seemed so out of reach just months before. I soon learned that I was not the only “special” client – MSC mentors volunteer countless hours encouraging, training, and advocating for all their clients.
From Struggle to Stability: A Life Rebuilt
How has my life changed? My children and I have a reliable vehicle now. We no longer need to visit food pantries two or three times each week. I have been able to provide so much more for my kids – my daughter takes dance lessons and my sons have been in sports. My children have seen me transform before their eyes. My journey has helped all of us to become more confident and hopeful about our future, and our own lives.
The MSC team shows sincere compassion, care, concern, and personalized attention – they change lives. When women come in for the first time, many walk in as I did – broken, disheartened, furtive, and untrusting. With each piece of clothing, each compliment offered, each job skill shared, another piece of her is restored. They leave with a renewed determination and greater confidence to follow their dreams. This was my own experience, and I see other women do the same each week.
The ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi demonstrates that a broken bowl doesn’t have to be discarded. An artist uses glue and gold dust to put the pieces back together, making it even more remarkable than before. This philosophy emphasizes that it is not flawlessness that makes something beautiful. The unique and now-golden scars are something to be celebrated, not hidden. Just like a Kintsugi bowl, women are restored at My Sister’s Closet. We emerge as women reborn. The scars from all of the heartache, pain, abuse, and trauma now glisten, encouraging others to embrace their imperfections and recognize their beauty.
