Callie's Story

When her home was no longer safe, Callie moved to Nebraska to live with her aunt. Soon after she arrived, a medical event left her aunt unable to care for Callie. With no other family to turn to, in a state unfamiliar to her, Callie had nowhere to go and was facing homelessness. Desperate for help, she went to a local shelter and stayed there for a while to avoid living on the streets.  

While the shelter was a safe place for Callie to land temporarily, she needed a support system to guide her though this stage of life and onto the next. That’s when CEDARS stepped in.  

The first thing we did was set Callie up in a CEDARS-supported apartment of her own, where she felt safe every single night, not worrying about where she’d sleep next. Safely in her apartment, CEDARS staff helped Callie get back on track with school.  

When Callie arrived in Nebraska, she only had a handful of credits left to get her diploma. However, due to differing education requirements, Callie had a lot more coursework to complete before finishing high school. With the support of our dedicated staff, Callie was not only enrolled in the right courses but also stayed motivated to complete them. Callie regularly visited the Youth Opportunity Center to see staff, get help with homework, and of course enjoy a delicious meal.  

After being in CEDARS care for a few months, Callie started to hit her stride. She adopted a dog, Big Mac, who made her feel safer and more comforted in her apartment. She also knocked out her high school courses in record time. In early November, she took her last exam and officially finished high school. We are extremely proud of Callie for overcoming all of the challenges that came her way. Callie was proud of herself too. Getting her diploma showed her how capable she truly is.  

“I can make the impossible happen,” said Callie.  

To ensure she felt celebrated, staff hosted a party for Callie, complete with a graduation cap and cupcakes. Callie let herself celebrate for the day too, but soon after she set her eyes on the next chapter – CNA school. She is excited for her future and confident she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. 

We are so proud of Callie and can’t wait to see her succeed!