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A Door Is Opened for a Young Mother in Denver
Gina Aleman and two of her
children.
Gina Aleman, 22, isn't sure how she would have made it without her Door Opener, a person in the community who offers opportunities for youth formerly in foster care to work toward self-sufficiency. Gina's Door Opener - OLP Management owned by Steve Leaffer - owns apartment complexes in metro Denver and hired Gina as a leasing agent and gave her discounted rent on a three-bedroom apartment for her and her three children. In addition, the Initiative has matched Gina's deposits in her special savings account, enabling her to put a $300 deposit on her apartment and buy a new Hyundai.
"My whole life has changed as a result of this," says Gina, who went into foster care when she was 15 ½ with her then-five-month-old son. "I wouldn't have this house. Through my job, I have life insurance, health insurance and a 401K. This is the first job in which I'm not on any assistance. This is a dream come true. I never thought I would have a job where I would be able to support myself."
Gina with child.
Gina's old life was rocky. As one of six children of teen parents, Gina often stayed home from school because she was the primary caregiver for her younger siblings. Her dad was in prison. "We didn't know where my mom was half the time," she says.
Four of six children were placed in foster care, all separated from each other. Gina had dreams of going to law school and becoming a lawyer, but her first pregnancy at an early age shelved that. Still, she was determined not to follow the same path as her parents.
Gina was tired of changing schools, and the prospect of a second foster-care placement would mean a transfer to a fourth high school. So she dropped out and pursued her GED. Gina was highly motivated and completed two years of college at Community College of Denver and two years of AmeriCorps service.
Gina's new car.
Eventually, Gina met Kippi Clausen, program director for Bridging the Gap, a partnership between the Initiative and Mile High United Way. The program serves young people from 14 to 23 who have been in foster care or are transitioning out. Bridging the Gap creates opportunities for youth in transition, including employment, education, community and civic engagement, housing, and physical and mental health. Gina is a 2005 graduate of the Initiative's Youth Leadership Institute.
Today, Gina is making a life for herself and her three children, ages six months, 4 and 7. The opportunities that have come through Bridging the Gap and her own determination have made all the difference. For the first time, her future seems bright.
"I have a job that supports us. This is helping me get through life, and I never thought I would be able to support my family at such a young age," she says. "I am so thankful for Bridging the Gap. At the same time, I really wanted my life to change and worked at it."
