Ezra was 2 when they graduated from the Nurse-Family Partnership program, but the relationship with Abby was still very close.
“Right after we graduated, about a month later on my birthday, Abby sent me an email saying that Nurse-Family Partnership had just created a new job. She said, ‘It’s perfect for you.’”
Amanda had become a volunteer ambassador for Friends of New York City Nurse-Family Partnership explaining the program to women she encountered and recommending it to those who were struggling.
“I read the job description and applied,” Amanda said. “I loved Nurse-Family Partnership so much and in this job I would literally be doing what I already was doing, though in a more formal way. I wanted other girls to get the kind of help I was getting.”
Now, Amanda lives in Queens and works for Nurse-Family Partnership doing outreach at churches, community centers, homeless shelters and other facilities, talking to vulnerable first-time moms and encouraging them to seek help.
“Often they are reluctant to go into the program until I tell them I went through it myself, that I was
homeless and on methadone,” she said. “Sometimes these girls look at me like ‘What does this lady know?’ Then I tell them that I was on the streets and that I shot heroin for 10 years.”
“Being very open about where I’ve been and telling my story is my biggest asset. It helps me give back to my community.”
At this point, Amanda is a busy single mom who is proud of her life and all she’s accomplished. She underwent a hysterectomy this fall to prevent future gene-related cancers, so she’s very grateful that she made the decision to keep her son. She knows now that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“If you met Ezra, you would have no clue that he has grown up with any kind of hardship,” she said. “He’s very smart; he laughs all the time. He’s just the best. He has a lot of personality, no developmental problems, no physical problems.”
Amanda’s family is also back in her life.
“They thought I was going to die an addict,” she said. “Everybody is amazed and really, really, really grateful that I got clean and I have this amazing boy that everybody loves so much.”
In addition to her job and caring for an active 3 ½-year-old, Amanda remains deeply committed to Narcotics Anonymous.
“I have my friends and basically we’re all in recovery,” she said. “I’m grateful every day that I’m clean. I know if I use, everything goes out the window.”
She knows that addiction is a powerful force and her counselors remind her that “a kid can’t keep you clean.”
But, she said, something “flipped in my head” when Ezra came along.
“I can’t imagine doing anything to jeopardize my son’s life. I know my role as a mother is so important.”
“The absence of a mother in your life makes you realize how important that presence is.”
“I know – I really, really know – how just a hug is so important to him.”
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"THat program means you love me"
- Ezra to His Mom
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