“I am the face of homelessness and addiction. But I am also the face of resilience, transformation, and hope.” – Lanel
Lanel grew up in East Palo Alto, a city where many individuals and families faced challenges from the high cost of living, low-income levels, limited access to quality jobs, and a history of crime. She was raised by her grandmother due to her mother’s struggles with substance use and her father’s early passing. Without a stable support system, she turned to the streets for a sense of family, a path that brought its own set of difficulties.
Despite these hardships, Lanel managed to graduate from high school. Tired of the cycle of homelessness and incarceration, she sought refuge at LifeMoves Maple Street Shelter, now the San Mateo County Navigation Center. Unfortunately, she didn’t stay long and returned to old habits.
Lanel’s turning point came with her pregnancies. After losing her first child due to drug use, she sought treatment at Hope House, a residential substance use recovery program for adult women providing specialized support for those navigating pregnancy and early parenting. There, she gave birth to her second child, who was born healthy. There, she took the time she needed to rebuild her life.
With newfound stability, Lanel began working as an administrator for youth group homes. She later joined the San Mateo County Navigation Center to be part of the solution, inspired by the loss of so many friends and neighbors who didn’t know about the resources available to help them. To her surprise, many clients were people she knew from her past.
Starting as a Residential Services Coordinator, Lanel eventually became Associate Program Director. Today, she embodies resilience and hope, working on staff at LifeMoves to empower individuals and families to transform their lives.
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