The Stories
Mother and Son - Shamia and Derrick
A Better Life for Her Son
Shamia was born in Tampa into a culture of poverty and drugs, and has been homeless most of her life. Her mother was an addict and spent a majority of Shamia's childhood in prison. Consequently, Shamia was bounced around from place to place and never had a stable family. Despite her past, Shamia is a promising young woman intent on giving her infant son Derrick the secure home she never had.
A Troubled Childhood
Shamia is the fourth of five children. Each of her siblings has a different father; she was raised with her younger sister. Trapped in a cycle of abuse and neglect, their mother often became violent when drugs were unavailable. When she was incarcerated or strung out, the girls lived with whomever would accept them. A family friend often provided a safe haven for the sisters, raising them until their mother sobered up and wanted them back. But as soon as their mother got high, she would invariably leave Shamia and her sister again.
The state took custody of Shamia when she was 15 years old and placed her in a series of foster homes. At 17, she entered a program for homeless girls but ran away and dropped out of high school before her 18th birthday. When Shamia was 19, her mother finished a seven-year prison sentence. The two were looking forward to reestablishing their relationship; however, Shamia's mother died of complications from AIDS just two days after being released from prison.
Life Without A Home
Seeking direction, Shamia followed the advice of a friend and joined Job Corps, the federally funded program that provides youth the chance to learn a trade and get a high school diploma or GED. Shamia left Hillsborough County for the first time in her life as she was assigned to Job Corps' Kentucky campus. While there, she earned her GED and learned to paint and apply wallpaper. The only woman in the painter trade program, Shamia graduated first in her class.
Shamia returned to Tampa a year later but was unable to find a job in the male-dominated painting industry. Without a place to live, she briefly stayed with an older sister and reluctantly settled for a job at a fast-food restaurant. To help cover the bills, she dipped into the little savings she earned while working at Job Corps. Over the next several years, Shamia worked one minimum wage job after another. Despite working full time, she never made enough to afford an apartment.
Feeling stuck and hopeless, Shamia traded safety and security for a series of abusive relationships in order to have a roof over her head. She spent many nights in motel rooms and cars or fearfully walking the streets alone, never knowing what the next day might bring. Shamia moved from place to place with everything she owned in a couple of bags, losing sentimental items along the way. She knew her life had to change.
In 2006, Shamia got pregnant. She moved back in with her sister for a short time, and attempted to reconcile with the father of her unborn child. They began living in motels; she worked full-time while he abused drugs. Eventually she broke off the abusive relationship and sought help from a mental health provider. Shamia was referred to a non-profit maternity home that provides assistance to pregnant women.
Life Now
At the maternity home, Shamia was treated for depression and drug addiction, received shelter and in-depth counseling, and learned parenting and life skills. Months later, she gave birth to Derrick, a healthy baby boy, and has been sober for more than a year.
For the first time in her life, Shamia is positive about her future. She is taking college courses and wants to become a counselor so that she can help others in crisis. Eager to begin her new life, she is looking for a good-paying job, a safe apartment and daycare for Derrick. Shamia knows from experience that the best thing she can give her son is the gift of a happy, healthy and nurturing mother.
