HANNAH’S STORY

“It was an emotional year. But I am now in a place of stability and have the courage to pursue my dreams again. If my story can help another woman, I want to share it.”

Hannah Moon was a loving wife and mother to a young son. She put her dreams on the backburner to be fully present for her family. Soon, she began to realize things weren’t quite right in her marriage, and for the well-being of herself and son, she left her husband. He was the only family she had in the United States, and now she was suddenly alone, facing the reality of being a single mother to a 10 year-old son, with nowhere to turn.

Thankfully, through the help of United Way’s United for Women and the Women’s Center and Shelter, she found a safe place to start rebuilding her life. She was helped and encouraged to set goals for herself, like finding housing that would allow her son to remain in the same school district, get employment, and continue furthering her education.

“I found opportunities out of a tragic life experience, thanks to United Way and the Women’s Center and Shelter,” reflected Hannah. “I got the support I needed to be more independent and self-sufficient.”

Hannah now works full-time at East End Cooperative Ministry, and after taking a leap of faith, just started classes at Carnegie Mellon University to pursue a master’s degree in engineering.

“I have faced a lot of obstacles,” Hannah shared. “But through the help I received, I found hope, support, and a hand to hold. I can finally see my potential.”

Hannah has been a remarkable example to her son, too. During a quiet Christmas celebration between the two last year, Hannah’s son told her he wants to follow in her footsteps and pursue a career as an engineer.

To learn more about how you can support United for Women, visit https://uwswpa.org/united-for-women/.