My name is Paula and I am a client of Dress for Success Oregon. I want to share my story—in my own words--with you. I hope it inspires and touches all hearts that it may apply to, telling it strengthens my own personal journey. I won’t go into all the details of my life, but I will give you a brief background of my road of self-destruction. From what I can remember my childhood was okay up until the age of four, it was at that time I was sexually abused by my mom’s (third) husband and his best friend.
The abuse would go on for years until my mom met another man who told her he hated kids and that it was either him or me. At 11 years old my mom marched me down to DHS and gave me away.
I was put into the system and passed around to various group and foster homes. Without any positive parental guidance, I was out of control and on the streets of Seattle doing everything from drugs to prostitution and constantly going in and out of jail.
In June of 2008 I got the wake-up call I needed, I was pregnant. I decided things had to change. I moved to Portland to remove myself from the influences and enablers of my past life and went into a long term treatment program. I finally found peace with myself and was able to address the issues that took me into a world of destruction.
Through the Steps to Success program I was referred to Dress for Success Oregon in October of 2010 to help me make the transition into the workforce. Dress for Success gave me hope and support, and most of all, they gave me a chance. In fact, I got one of the very few internships at Dress for Success Oregon. For the last year, I have worked with this incredible group of women and learned job skills and professional habits-- and I have been able to show them that I am responsible and ready for work.
In the fall of 2011, I joined Dress for Success’s Going Places Network an intense job preparation program. I learned how to look for a job and address my past with potential employers. With their support, I just got a job!
I have grown so much here. Dress for Success Oregon gives women power and control over their lives. I have never felt so good about myself and who I am. Today my son and I live in our own apartment and, for the first time, I feel positive about our future…I know I will never go on public assistance again!
I am proud to tell people that I am a part of Dress for Success and everything they stand for. I am asking you to make Dress for Success Oregon one of the organizations that you help this year. Every day this amazing organization is helping women like me get out of poverty and stand on our own. With your support they can continue to grow to address the overwhelming need in Oregon and SW Washington.
I hope this story opens your heart because nobody can do this alone and I am so very appreciative that someone took the time to help me. My life—and my son’s life—are forever changed.
With gratitude,
Paula L’Heureux
Dress for Success Oregon Client – 2010 to present
The abuse would go on for years until my mom met another man who told her he hated kids and that it was either him or me. At 11 years old my mom marched me down to DHS and gave me away.
I was put into the system and passed around to various group and foster homes. Without any positive parental guidance, I was out of control and on the streets of Seattle doing everything from drugs to prostitution and constantly going in and out of jail.
In June of 2008 I got the wake-up call I needed, I was pregnant. I decided things had to change. I moved to Portland to remove myself from the influences and enablers of my past life and went into a long term treatment program. I finally found peace with myself and was able to address the issues that took me into a world of destruction.
Through the Steps to Success program I was referred to Dress for Success Oregon in October of 2010 to help me make the transition into the workforce. Dress for Success gave me hope and support, and most of all, they gave me a chance. In fact, I got one of the very few internships at Dress for Success Oregon. For the last year, I have worked with this incredible group of women and learned job skills and professional habits-- and I have been able to show them that I am responsible and ready for work.
In the fall of 2011, I joined Dress for Success’s Going Places Network an intense job preparation program. I learned how to look for a job and address my past with potential employers. With their support, I just got a job!
I have grown so much here. Dress for Success Oregon gives women power and control over their lives. I have never felt so good about myself and who I am. Today my son and I live in our own apartment and, for the first time, I feel positive about our future…I know I will never go on public assistance again!
I am proud to tell people that I am a part of Dress for Success and everything they stand for. I am asking you to make Dress for Success Oregon one of the organizations that you help this year. Every day this amazing organization is helping women like me get out of poverty and stand on our own. With your support they can continue to grow to address the overwhelming need in Oregon and SW Washington.
I hope this story opens your heart because nobody can do this alone and I am so very appreciative that someone took the time to help me. My life—and my son’s life—are forever changed.
With gratitude,
Paula L’Heureux
Dress for Success Oregon Client – 2010 to present
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