Fadwa’s Story

To say Fadwa is driven is an understatement. She doesn’t dream of becoming a surgical nurse, she is actively taking steps to make it happen. And to make her mother proud.

Fadwa lost her mother to cancer when she was just 13 years old. Her father expected Fadwa to assume her mother’s responsibilities and moved the family often, keeping them distanced from any extended family. She was not allowed to have friends or participate in extracurricular activities. She attended five different high schools and managed to maintain excellent grades while she cooked, cleaned, and took care of her two brothers and father.

At 17, she was abandoned by her father and placed in SCO’s foster care program. SCO helped stabilize the teen, placed her with a foster family, and eventually was able to locate a maternal aunt who opened her heart and home to her long-lost niece through kinship foster care.

Despite her early challenges, Fadwa stays focused on the opportunities ahead of her. SCO’s foster care staff helped her prepare for college; guiding her through the application process and helping her achieve both a Dream USA Scholarship and a Youth in Foster Care Award.  Currently a student at Borough of Manhattan Community College, SCO helped her secure an internship with a surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Fadwa’s goal is to keep her GPA high enough to get into nursing school. And we have no doubt she will achieve this and so much more.

 

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Women’s Shelters

SCO’s Madonna Heights provides emergency housing for women who are experiencing homelessness, some with children. The primary goal of the Madonna Heights’ shelters is to help women and their families stabilize their lives by providing them with temporary emergency housing and support services in a safe, supervised environment. Locations are throughout Suffolk County, Long Island. The program also meets needs for clothing, access to medical care, limited transportation, case management services and assistance in locating permanent housing. Parenting Skills Training is also provided.

Who Can Benefit from this Program

Single women and women with children who are experiencing homelessness

How to Access this Program or Service

Suffolk County Department of Social Services makes all referrals to the shelter

This program is associated with...

Madonna Heights

Providing an environment that teaches, strengthens and encourages young and adult women to heal from trauma. Read More

Success Stories

Fadwa’s Story

Foster Care and Education

“I’m going to be successful regardless of what I’ve been through." Learn More

Madelin, Omariano & Mariano

Baby & Me

“I get so much out of it. I don’t know what I’d do without Baby & Me.” Learn More

Last year,

288

children were reunified with their parents who worked hard preparing for their return home

We inspire

8,200

children and teens through academic, after-school, summer and work readiness programs