After a long day, Shaniqua and her 16-year-old son, Zion, enjoy playing video games together while living at VOA-GNY’s University Family Residence, a transitional shelter for families experiencing homelessness. They’re rebuilding their relationship after 10 years of separation.
“I try to have ‘us’ time because we need that,” she says.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Shaniqua, a mother of four, has had a challenging journey. A survivor of child abuse and domestic violence, she struggled with substance use which led to having her children removed from her care. Determined to reunite her family, she spent two years working to meet the requirements, including completing parenting classes and a substance use program, eventually regaining custody of her youngest child, Zion.
Since arriving at VOA-GNY with Zion a year ago, Shaniqua has made significant strides. With guidance from VOA-GNY staff, she completed a parent leadership training program that led to a job as a parent advocate at a human services agency. She assists families who are trying to reunite with their children, just like she did.
“I was once them,” she says. “I had to fight to get my child back and I don’t want them to have to go through what I had to go through.”
Shaniqua has leaned on VOA-GNY staff through difficult moments. “If I need to talk to somebody, Ms. Ndela is definitely there for me to go and talk to,” she says about her case manager. “She’s just real supportive.”
Shaniqua is in the process of securing an apartment—a home for her and Zion where her oldest kids can come visit too.