“I had some haters out there that told me I was never going to get my kids back.”
When 30-year-old Jasmine Hawkins became a client at Passport To Learning, Inc., she wasn’t sure what to expect. She had previously lost custody of three of her children and wasn’t connecting well with her instructor at her then-agency.
“Previous Regional Center instructors I had weren’t as involved,” Jasmine said. “I didn’t have one-on-one help before.”
But that all changed when Jasmine met PTL instructor, Annette.
“I love Mrs. Annette, she’s been the best ILS worker I’ve ever had,” Jasmine said. “My kids love her. She teaches me a lot and helps you out. She’s just there. She listens to me.”
Jasmine became a client at Passport To Learning in 2019. She is currently enrolled in PTL’s Parenting and Independent Living Services programs. In these programs, she works with her instructor on various skills that allow her to balance her responsibilities as a parent with her mental health, such as preparing meals and balancing finances. Eventually, thanks to the progress Jasmine made in PTL, she was able to regain custody of all of her children.
“I fought to get them out of the system and I got them out.” Jasmine said. “It was the best day of my life.”
Her instructor, Annette, says Jasmine has shown tremendous growth.
“Jasmine has truly matured as a young mother, as a woman … She has truly taken those responsibilities and opened up to being responsible.” Annette said.
A favorite memory for both Jasmine and Annette is last year when Jasmine prepared her first Thanksgiving dinner in her own apartment.
“I did it all by myself!” Jasmine said.
“Hey, I helped!” Annette added, laughing.
Today, Jasmine lives with her boyfriend and three kids with another baby on the way.